Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 13 July 2026

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.

Nine suspicious-activity reports identify surveillance, probing, phishing, and crisis incidents at U.S. churches

This reporting period from June 1 to July 10^th, 2026, included nine security incidents across nine states, with surveillance and suspicious pre-operational behavior emerging as the most consistent trend. Four of the reported incidents involved behaviors commonly associated with reconnaissance, including a vehicle repeatedly circling two churches in northern Arizona, an individual recording the entrance of a Messianic congregation in the Portland-Vancouver area for nearly four hours while wearing a disguise, repeated suspicious movement near a children’s ministry area at a church in Idaho, and behavior that appeared to test security screening procedures at a North Carolina church. Other reports highlighted a man scanning a California congregation during prayer while avoiding participation, multiple crisis-related walk-ups at an Alaska church outside normal service hours, suspected phishing targeting a church directory in Texas, coordinated or scripted visitor behavior observed weeks apart at a Michigan church, and protests during a political faith event in Montana. Collectively, these incidents demonstrate that faith-based organizations continue to experience a broad range of security concerns, including physical surveillance, social engineering, suspicious behaviors, mental health crises, cyber targeting, and event-related security challenges.

Analyst Comments: This reporting underscores the importance of recognizing suspicious behaviors as well as focusing solely on specific threats mitigation. Many of the incidents involved individuals gathering information, observing security practices, testing staff responses, or displaying behaviors that warranted additional attention even though no crime was immediately committed.

Faith-based organization may consider training greeters, ushers, children’s ministry volunteers, and safety teams to recognize behavioral indicators such as prolonged surveillance, repeated movement around sensitive areas, unusual interest in entrances or security procedures, and attempts to gather organizational information. Properly preparing staff and volunteers can strengthen situational awareness while helping maintain a safe and welcoming environment for legitimate visitors.

GA: Copper thefts leave Burke County churches without air conditioning, prompting increased patrols

Authorities in Burke County, Georgia, are increasing patrols after a series of copper thefts targeted air conditioning units at Blount Chapel Baptist Church, Forest Hill Baptist Church, and the Boggs Academy Rural Life Center. While the stolen copper has resale value, officials say the resulting damage to the HVAC systems is far more costly, with replacement expenses reaching $4,000 to $5,000 or more. At Blount Chapel Baptist Church, the damaged unit cooled the front portion of the sanctuary, forcing church leaders to modify services during one of the hottest periods of the summer. Church leadership described the incident as both unexpected and disruptive, noting that the congregation had recently gathered for a church conference before discovering the vandalism. In response, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office has assigned a deputy to conduct dedicated patrols of churches throughout the county and is encouraging churches and nearby residents to report suspicious people or vehicles, particularly after houses, as timely reporting may help prevent incidents.

Analyst Comments: These incidents highlight that houses of worship continue to face opportunistic property crimes that can have a significant operational impact, even when the financial value of the stolen materials is relatively low. Beyond repair costs, damage to critical building systems can disrupt worship services, community programs, and other ministries, particularly during periods of extreme heat or cold. Faith-based organizations may consider viewing HVAC units, electrical infrastructure, and other exterior utilities as critical assets that warrant additional protection. This can include improving exterior lighting, installing surveillance cameras that cover HVAC equipment and utility areas, using locking cages or protective barriers around air conditioning units where appropriate, and conducting routine inspections of the property, especially before services or events. Organizations may also consider strengthening relationships with local law enforcement, encouraging members and neighbors to report suspicious activity, and incorporating vandalism, theft, and infrastructure damage scenarios into emergency response and continuity planning. Preparing for these types of incidents in advance can help reduce service disruptions and improve an organization’s ability to recover quickly if targeted. If organizations have not already done so, we encourage you to review the “Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities” developed by CISA and members of faith-based organizations across the country.

ICYMI: FB-ISAO’s 2025 Threat Data Report | Vandalism, Violence, Arson, Active Shooters, Cyber Attacks, and More: Understanding Today’s Threats to Houses of Worship Across All Faith Communities

Houses of worship and faith‑based organizations are facing increasing levels of hostility, from vandalism and arson to active‑shooter events, bomb threats, hate‑motivated violence, and cyber-attacks on their systems and data. Join the Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization for a focused review of the much-anticipated cumulative threat data on attacks and incidents impacting churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other houses of worship during 2025.

During this session, Ed Heyman and Ross Moore will:

• Walk through key statistics from recent incidents impacting houses of worship and faith‑based organizations, including vandalism, arson, threats, and violence.
• Highlight notable hate‑motivated and extremist attacks against religious institutions and how those trends are evolving across time and different faith traditions.
• Review recent cyber incidents affecting faith‑based organizations – such as ransomware campaigns and online harassment – and discuss common entry points and vulnerabilities.
• Discuss practical implications for security planning, training, and partnership with law enforcement, emergency management, and community organizations.
• Point to free tools, templates, and grant programs that can help congregations strengthen their security posture and preparedness without overwhelming budgets or staff.

This presentation is designed for clergy, executive leaders, safety, security, and intelligence team members, board members, and anyone responsible for protecting the people, facilities, and ministries of a faith‑based organization. No advanced technical background is required; the focus is on clear, plain‑language insight into current threats and realistic steps faith communities can take to reduce risk.

The webinar will take place on 22 July 2026 at 12:00 PM ET, when we’ll unpack what the data is telling us and what leaders should be watching now. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of current trends, risk drivers, and practical steps to strengthen security, preparedness, and resilience in their own communities.

Register here  : This is a members-only event.