Sheriff Offering Free Local Church Safety Assessments, Training

Sheriff Doyle Recommends, Offers Plans for Church Safety

Sheriff Shane Doyle is offering free safety assessment plans for local churches.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Edmonson County Sheriff Shane Doyle is offering free safety assessments for local churches and is looking to meet with members to discuss church shootings and safety as a community service.

"A church used to be the one place that you could be safe no matter what, but unfortunately, that's now changing all over the country," said Sheriff Doyle. "While Edmonson County is still a different type of place compared to the rest of much of America, I feel very strongly about being educated in safety, as well as preparedness for action."

Doyle said that while no local mass shooting incidents have happened, local law enforcement still trains and has multiple plans in place in the event of such.

"We conduct real-life scenarios for school shootings, bus emergencies, and other tragedies," said the Sheriff. "None of us want to think about that happening in Edmonson County, but we have to be as ready as we can for it."

Sheriff Doyle said many local churches have already made changes to the way they assemble. Some by locking doors after services start, others by adding cameras and additional lighting, and some have even allowed the Sheriff to conduct safety training for their congregations.

"If we fail to plan, then we are planning to fail," he said. "We live in a day when we now have to ask, what would you do if someone came into your church and started shooting? Do you have any idea on what to do next? Without a plan, this situation becomes exponentially worse."

Doyle said he and other trained officers can meet with church leaders and/or members and answer questions regarding:

• Carrying weapons in church
• Laws concerning self-defense and defense of others
• Building safety
• Anything that pertains to public and personal safety

"Just because you may be a responsible gun owner isn't enough," he added. "And simply because you can legally carry a weapon doesn't mean you have a plan. I want to help our churches be better prepared in case of emergency."

For more information regarding local church safety, Doyle said to contact the Sheriff's Office at 270-597-2157 or the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page by private message.