JANESVILLE, Wis. — On Wednesday, the Rock County Sheriff’s department partnered with security organizations from around the U.S. to host a half day safety session for faith-based leaders in the community.
This session was held in response to a series of violent attacks and threats that have occurred throughout the U.S. since the Israel-Hamas War began on Oct. 7. Based on a CSIS data set of terrorist incidents, the most significant threat likely comes from white supremacists, though anarchists and religious extremists.
Rock County Sheriff Curtis Fell said protecting the community is a group effort, and it is important to know when to call for help and how to react if an attack happens.
“We are going to be a responder; we are going to come to something when it happens and try to resolve whatever situation it is at that time,” said Fell. “The better prepared [religious leaders] are ahead of time, the better opportunity they have to communicate with their staff the better response they will have.”
Fell said religious organizations play an important role in his community and even though an attack has never occurred in Rock County, he said its important that everyone is prepared in case it does.
“The law enforcement community that attend various churches have stepped up and offered different things in their churches but were trying to broaden it and bring things up to speed,” said Fell.
Father Eric Nielsen is the pastor at Saint John Vianney Church and School in Janesville.
“These kids are the most precious people we have in our community. Their whole life is before them and we don’t want anything tragic to happen to them,” said Nielsen.
Nielsen said since the Israel-Hamas War began, community members have expressed concern about their safety.
By installing security cameras at his church and attending information sessions, he said he hopes to make his congregation feel safe.
“We want to try and keep our facility here and the people that worship here as safe as possible while at the same time having an open and welcoming attitude,” said Nielsen.
For a six-step guide to protecting places of worship from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security agency, click this link.
To view the information session virtually, click this link.