Why experts say places of worship are being targeted in violent crimes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - With the number of crimes at places of worship on the rise, many are wondering what is behind the climb, and experts say it is all about respect.

According to the Family Research Council, between January 2018 and November 2023, at least 915 acts of hostility occurred at places of worship.

Kris Moloney, CEO of Sheepdog Church Security, said 20 years ago, you would not see these crimes because many thought of churches as sacred grounds — but not anymore.

“The respect in a lot of ways is gone and so the favorable status that the church used to enjoy has really eroded away,” Moloney said.

He stressed that Memphis is the perfect example that the church is not immune to trends around the city.

“The church has always been a microcosm of the rest of society, so when thefts go up in a neighborhood or an area, they go up at the church, when vandalism goes up, they go up,” Moloney said.

Many larger churches in the Memphis metro area have some type of security presence, but even that is not stopping criminals, and Moloney says that is because churches tend to be naïve when it comes to acts of violence.

“Churches tend to be soft targets, you know, they have not really caught up with the times and say, ‘Hey, we should have some sort of security presence,’ and sometimes even if they do, they are not enforcing anything,” Moloney said.

He says church security organizations are much more common than they were years ago.

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