How churches are working to keep congregations safe

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- After nine people were fatally shot inside a church in South Carolina, some worry that no place is safe - not even houses of worship.

Places of worship like sanctuaries, mosques and synagogues are where people go for comfort and protection.

But faith leaders say they are well aware they can also be targets, which is why they too are thinking about how to keep worshippers safe.

"I think we would be nave if we don't realize that there's a dynamic in the culture that's changing," said Pastor Garth Gittens.

Pastor Gittens says having security in places of worship is a part of the world we live in.

He is the senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in West Philadelphia and says thousands of people of come through the doors every month.

Like any place, some come with good intentions while others may not. But the church is a place for all people.

"If the church were to close its doors it would stop being the church so we have to open our doors and let people in. The difficulty is some of those same people, because of their desperation and strange belief systems, may come to do harm so we must be aware," said Pastor Gittens.

Calvary Baptist Church became very serious about protecting its congregation about seven years ago but Pastor Gittens says they have enhanced their security measures drastically in recent years.

"We have rotating security, not only do we have rotating security but we have people trained in security systems," he said.

There are surveillance cameras all over the building, they were rolling even during our interview.

The trained staff members are volunteers, many whom have a military background or currently work in law enforcement.

Erin Tokely is a Philadelphia police officer. He's also head of security at the church.

"The whole concept is to get new faces to come in which is why it's a difference between from how you would secure a building or a business and how you would secure a church," said Tokely.

And that is the challenge.

The church is built on the principle of accepting everyone - just as church members did in Charleston, South Carolina before being gunned down.

Pastor Gittens says they try to guard against a sneak attack as best as they can and that includes keeping a close eye on unfamiliar faces.

"The key to this is you may be sitting next to a security person and not know it," said Pastor Gittens.

Church leaders we spoke with say nothing is 100 percent secure but it's being aware that can make the difference.