Faith-Based Security Headlines
These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.
FRC Publishes New Edition of Hostility Against Churches Report Indicating Over 400 Acts of Hostility
In its latest Hostility Against Churches report, the Family Research Council (FRC) documented 415 acts of hostility targeting U.S. churches in 2024, spanning 43 states and impacting 383 congregations which marks a slight decrease from the 485 incidents recorded in 2023 but remains significantly higher than earlier years. The most frequent offenses were vandalism (284 incidents), followed by arson (55), bomb threats (14), and category of other (47), with notable surges in gun-related incidents – 28 in 2024, compared to just 12 in 2023. Since 2018, the cumulative total has reached 1,384 hostile acts against churches.
Analyst Comments: The 2024 Hostility Against Churches report indicates a persistent and elevated threat environment for faith-based institutions, even with the slight year-over-year decline in incidents. The cumulative data since 2018 shows that hostility toward HOW is an ongoing security concern. For security planning HOW may consider strengthening layered security measures, improving incident reporting, and coordinating more closely with local law enforcement to mitigate both low-level and high-consequence threats. FB-ISAO is working on the complete summary of the 2024 Threat Data and Analysis with members expected to see that in early fall.
Restoring Law and Order in the District of Columbia
On August 11th, President Trump issued two coordinated directives aimed at responding to what he described as an emergency of rising violent crime in Washington, D.C. First, through a Presidential Memorandum titled Restoring Law and Order in the District of Columbia. Trump directed the Secretary of Defense to mobilize the D.C. National Guard under his authority as Commander in Chief until public safety was deemed restored, with the option to coordinate additional Guard support from other states. Simultaneously, he signed an Executive Order declaring a crime emergency in the nation’s capital under Section 740 of the Home Rule Act, transferring operational control of the Metropolitan Police Department to the Attorney General to ensure law and order and to protect federal property and government functions.
Analyst Comments: The paired actions indicate a rapid escalation in federal intervention authority in Washington, D.C., signaling the use of both military support and federal law enforcement oversight to address perceived public safety threats. The simultaneous activation of the D.C. National Guard and transfer of Metropolitan Police Department operational control to the U.S. Attorney General reflect the intent to centralize command and streamline response coordination during heightened crime incidents. There is a National Day of Action planned for this Saturday in multiple locations across the country, and decisions like what was made in DC is likely to spark further protest activity.
Gunman in CDC attack fired over 180 shots at building and broke 150 windows
On August 8th a 30-year-old-man opened fire near the CDC’s Atlanta campus, firing over 180 rounds, shattering roughly 150 windows across at least four buildings, and fatally wounding a police officer before being found dead nearby. The COVID-19 vaccine is being blamed as the cause for the perpetrators depression and suicidal thoughts and the shooting is appeared to be driven by vaccine-related misinformation. In the aftermath, the CDC staff union and former CDC employees demanded unequivocal condemnation of vaccine disinformation by both the CDC and HHS leadership, criticizing the delayed and insufficient response from HHS Secretary. On August 11th, Kennedy visited the damaged-stricken Roybal campus accompanied by CDC Director and HHS Deputy Secretary and toured the shattered facilities.
Analyst Comments: The CDC shooting shows the intersection of targeted violence, misinformation, and threats to critical public health infrastructure. The attacker’s alleged motivation tied to vaccine disinformation shows how false narratives can escalate into acts of violence against symbolic institutions. This event may prompt reviews of protective measures for federal health agencies, integration of misinformation monitoring into threat assessment, and closer coordination between law enforcement and public health leadership during crises.
Mexico Travel Advisory
The U.S. urges travelers to exercise increase caution in Mexico due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Mexico is currently a Level 2 travel advisory meaning that there is increased caution. Violent crimes like homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery are common, and terrorist attacks are possible. The U.S. government has limited ability to assist in many areas, and its employees are restricted from traveling to certain high-risk regions – U.S. citizens should follow the same guidance. Emergency services may be unavailable in remote areas, and travelers should comply with road checkpoints to avoid injury or death.
Analyst Comments: The advisory highlights persistent security risks in Mexico that can affect both short-term visitors and long-term personnel. The combination of violent crime, kidnapping threats, and potential terrorist activity shows the need for thorough pre-travel risk assessments, route planning, and communication protocols. For faith-based organizations and missions’ teams, these warnings are relevant. Mission groups should consider coordinating closely with local contacts, avoid travel to high-risk states, maintain low profiles, and ensure participants are briefed on security protocols.
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