Shepherd's Shield Safety Foundation
Welcome Team Safety Awareness
Greeter Participant Handout — Observer & Reporter Training
Your Three-Word Mission:
“SEE IT. SAY IT. STEP BACK.”
You are not security. You are the eyes. Notice what others miss — hand it to the people trained to handle it.
✅ YOUR ROLE IS
❌ YOUR ROLE IS NOT
• Greeting and welcoming everyone warmly
• Confronting or questioning individuals
• Staying alert and observant at your post
• Physically stopping or detaining anyone
• Noticing behavior that seems out of place
• Making security or threat decisions
• Reporting concerns to security immediately
• Searching bags or personal belongings
• Calmly helping people find exits if needed
• Acting alone without notifying security
• Being a reassuring, visible presence
• Staying near a concern after you've reported it
📢 THE RALL REPORT PROTOCOL — How to Report a Concern
R
Report
Contact your security person immediately. Know who this is before every service.
A
Alert
Say it clearly: "I have a concern — I need you now." Use your code word if you have one.
L
Location
Be specific: "East entrance, lobby, second pew on the right" — not just "near the door."
L
Look
Describe what you saw: appearance, behavior, items. Facts only — no guessing required.
Example Report: "I need you at the east entrance now. Male, late 40s, dark jacket, came in alone, ignored my greeting, standing in the back corner looking toward the stage — hasn't sat down in 5 minutes."
👁 WHAT TO WATCH FOR — Eight Behavioral Indicators
👁 Avoidance Behavior
Won't make eye contact, ignores your greeting, or enters through a side door to avoid the welcome area.
🧥 Unusual Clothing
Heavy or bulky clothing inconsistent with the weather — may indicate something being concealed.
😰 Nervousness / Agitation
Sweating, shaking, rapid breathing, fidgeting with clothing or bag, pacing, repeatedly checking a phone.
🔍 Surveying the Building
Looking at exits, cameras, or security positions rather than engaging; photographing the interior.
🔫 Visible Weapons
Any visible firearm (unless a known licensed officer), knife on display, or otherwise suspicious item.
😡 Threatening Language
Hostile remarks toward staff, the pastor, or the church; explicit threats; escalating verbal confrontation.
🎒 Unattended Bags
A bag or package left without an obvious owner, especially if the person moved away from it.
🚪 Unauthorized Access
Someone attempting to enter the nursery, children's wing, pastor's office, or any restricted area.
💡 Gut Check Rule: If something feels off but you can't explain why — trust it and report it. You don't need to prove your concern. Let security evaluate.
🚫 WHAT NOT TO DO — Six Rules to Protect Yourself and Others
❌ Don't Confront
Never approach or question a suspicious individual. You may escalate a situation that wasn't going to. Report and step back.
❌ Don't Detain
You have no legal authority to physically stop anyone. Attempting to do so puts you at risk and creates liability.
❌ Don't Announce Loudly
Saying "that person looks suspicious" publicly creates panic and tips off the individual. Report quietly.
❌ Don't Touch Unattended Items
Never touch, move, or open any unattended bag or item. Note the location and report immediately.
❌ Don't Wait to Be Sure
You don't need certainty before reporting. Waiting costs the security team critical response time.
❌ Don't Post on Social Media
Never share details of any security incident online. Refer all questions to church leadership only.
🚨 ACTIVE EMERGENCY
- Call 911 FIRST
- Shout the code word
- Move people away calmly
- Do NOT run toward the threat
- Get safe — then communicate
🎒 UNATTENDED ITEM
- Do NOT touch or move it
- Note the exact location
- Report immediately via RALL
- Follow security's directions
- Do not create panic
📋 MY CONTACTS