Gateway Church Family, Date: Friday, 18 May 2018
Front Gate Closure
We are going back to the way things used to be a few years back. The Church Board has approved these actions at the April 2018 regular Board meeting. Effective this Monday 5/21/2018 the last person out of the facility must LOCK the front gate. The problems we are having with alcohol, smoking, drugs, sex, graffiti, vandalism, mischief and theft is on the increase within our church property. Even the police have told us to “stop tolerating these types of behavior before it becomes a serious issue.”
The combination to the lock on the front gate was already given to the people that are most likely to use it and be last to leave. We will give this combination out to any church member or regular attender if they have a need or ask for it. We are not attempting to create Fort Knox but rather to notify and make it clear to trespassers that they are trespassing.
In addition, to prevent theft and vandalism we had to install a security fence across the road that goes behind the church leading up to the patio. It has a combination lock also. If you need to get back there, please let me know and I will give you the combination.
It is sad that we have to do this but protecting our church that GOD has truly Blessed us with, is not only an obligation but an important responsibility.
For Future “Entrance Key” and “Alarm Code” Holders
There will be a combination lock on a chain that should be used at closing. If you happen to be one of the last people to leave the facility you must be sure that everyone is out of the parking lot before you leave. If there is an automobile in the lot that is not part of the church, pull up beside them and let them know that the gate is going to be locked and they must leave. DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR. If you don’t feel comfortable or there are too many cars, or it is late at night, call the Murrieta Police and ask them to clear the property so that you can close for the night. Put this number in your cell phone and DO NOT USE 911. Murrieta Police 951-696-3615. Once the folks know that we are closing the facility every night they will stop coming. So regardless of the day of the week, if there is no one on the property you should close the gate. If you are the only one on the property and you feel safer with the gate closed go ahead and lock it after you drive in.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions please call me at 661-428-1269 or e-mail me at gspinozzi@gatewaynaz.org.
Thank you all for your understanding,
Spinozzi
Gateway Church Family, Date: Friday, 18 May 2018
SAFETY and SECURITY AT GATEWAY
Greetings Church Family,As you know security has become an issue for everyone these days. We would be less than diligent if we did not address this issue. We are putting together an early warning system (a Security Team) to monitor the main entrance doors and parking lots. We also need someone to head up this new ministry (talk to me personally). Our new Children’s Building will be built with rapid lockdown capabilities, but our main building is obviously at risk from an attack.
Therefore, we are looking for approximately 30 plus people to help with this endeavor. Volunteers will only need to serve once every 8 to 12 weeks (unless they elect to play a larger role). One type of schedule for Sunday would be from 8:00 AM until noon. This means that once in every 8-12 weeks a volunteer would miss Sunday School and the Church Service.
The second type is for persons to volunteer for 2 hours on a Sunday morning and for a second person to take the second 2-hour block. That schedule would require service every 6-weeks. We would however make arrangements for any type to time sharing to get the 4-hour coverage on a Sunday morning.
Each person would be issued an identification badge and a walkie-talkie. The volunteers would need to have a cell phone in order to call 911 in case of a life threatening incident. Each volunteer would monitor a front entrance door, keep an eye on the parking lot and walk around outside from time to time.
If this sounds like a ministry you might want to participate in, please let me know so we can assemble a team and develop a Plan of Action to keep our growing church body safe and secure in case of a surprise incident.
Hopefully you would give this request prayerful thought and consideration. Our world is changing and so must we. If you are interested, please respond by email only.
gspinozzi@gatewaynaz.org
Blessings,
Gene Spinozzi
Chief Operations Office
Gateway Church of the Nazarene
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