Sunday morning inside Faith Christian Church in Dorchester, and Pastor Brenda White is preaching to her flock.To help everyone focus on matters of faith, her church has partnered with the state to boost its security -- one of about 300 non-profit and faith based organizations across that state that have tapped into $13.9 million in state and federal grants over the last five years."Are you worried about violence coming into this church?" 5 Investigates' Mike Beaudet asked."Yes and no. I am instructed by scripture not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything. And so from that perspective, I am not worried. But am I concerned? Do I feel that we must be vigilant in this time? Absolutely, yes," White replied.For Faith Christian Church, the money has allowed the church to improve security -- entrances are better protected, there are more cameras, and communication is a top priority, helped by hand-held radios paid for with the grant."If there are people wandering around the church - suspicious characters - then the church body in here can be alerted," said Oral Howes, the church administrator."It does give me a greater peace of mind to know now that not only can we be prepared in the event of like a fire, but if there were a terrorist," White said.Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, the state's homeland security undersecretary, said the state has helped houses of worship with new equipment and training."Fencing, cameras, locks, doors. So they've been able to harden it with this kind of money. But they've also been able to do some training," she said.The state has been getting the word out at a yearly safety and security summit for police and religious leaders. 5 Investigates had exclusive access to the last event in November, the fourth annual seminar that brought together law enforcement officials and religious leaders."Have a plan, make sure you understand your building or buildings," Kristin Wilczynski, an intelligence analyst with the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center, told the crowd."We are currently experiencing a boom in extremist activity," said Alex Friedfeld, an investigative researcher for the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism.The goal: building bridges between the two groups to try and stop an attack.The grants did not stop the stabbing attack on Brighton Rabbi Shlomo Noginski in 2021, but they did pay for cameras that helped apprehend his alleged attacker.State Police Colonel Christopher Mason said in an interview that it's critical to build relationships before something happens."We've seen a rise in hate speech, and I think that that rise in hate speech will inevitably translate into a rise in violence," Mason said. "Houses of worships, they have a symbolic message that can be sent by attacking one of them. I think they're an extreme risk."Even though Gov. Charlie Baker is leaving office this week, his public safety team is hopeful this program, and the relationships that have been built, will continue into the next administration under Governor Healey.
BOSTON — Sunday morning inside Faith Christian Church in Dorchester, and Pastor Brenda White is preaching to her flock.
To help everyone focus on matters of faith, her church has partnered with the state to boost its security -- one of about 300 non-profit and faith based organizations across that state that have tapped into $13.9 million in state and federal grants over the last five years.
"Are you worried about violence coming into this church?" 5 Investigates' Mike Beaudet asked.
"Yes and no. I am instructed by scripture not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything. And so from that perspective, I am not worried. But am I concerned? Do I feel that we must be vigilant in this time? Absolutely, yes," White replied.
WCVB
Pastor Brenda White of the Faith Christian Church shows 5 Investigates the security system installed with the help of a grant.
For Faith Christian Church, the money has allowed the church to improve security -- entrances are better protected, there are more cameras, and communication is a top priority, helped by hand-held radios paid for with the grant.
"If there are people wandering around the church - suspicious characters - then the church body in here can be alerted," said Oral Howes, the church administrator.
"It does give me a greater peace of mind to know now that not only can we be prepared in the event of like a fire, but if there were a terrorist," White said.
Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, the state's homeland security undersecretary, said the state has helped houses of worship with new equipment and training.
"Fencing, cameras, locks, doors. So they've been able to harden it with this kind of money. But they've also been able to do some training," she said.
The state has been getting the word out at a yearly safety and security summit for police and religious leaders. 5 Investigates had exclusive access to the last event in November, the fourth annual seminar that brought together law enforcement officials and religious leaders.
"Have a plan, make sure you understand your building or buildings," Kristin Wilczynski, an intelligence analyst with the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center, told the crowd.
"We are currently experiencing a boom in extremist activity," said Alex Friedfeld, an investigative researcher for the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism.
The goal: building bridges between the two groups to try and stop an attack.
The grants did not stop the stabbing attack on Brighton Rabbi Shlomo Noginski in 2021, but they did pay for cameras that helped apprehend his alleged attacker.
Shaloh House Jewish Day School
Rabbi Shlomo Noginski after being stabbed by an attacker in a hate crime outside the Shaloh House Jewish Day School in Brighton in 2021.
State Police Colonel Christopher Mason said in an interview that it's critical to build relationships before something happens.
"We've seen a rise in hate speech, and I think that that rise in hate speech will inevitably translate into a rise in violence," Mason said. "Houses of worships, they have a symbolic message that can be sent by attacking one of them. I think they're an extreme risk."
WCVB
Mass. State Police Col. Christopher Mason speaking at the 4th annual Faith-based Organizations Safety & Security Seminar in November.
Even though Gov. Charlie Baker is leaving office this week, his public safety team is hopeful this program, and the relationships that have been built, will continue into the next administration under Governor Healey.
