Official website of the Pennsylvania State Constable’s Office, Nazareth – Lehigh Valley
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Pennsylvania State Constable's Office
Nazareth – Lehigh Valley
Protecting & Serving
Our community, Since 1664

Safeguarding Our Community's Faith Based Organizations & Nonprofits

In the face of rapidly escalating violence, our places of worship, community centers, and service organizations remain vital pillars of our neighborhoods. Despite the threats, they must remain welcoming sanctuaries for all—providing safe spaces for peace, connection, and fellowship.

The Pennsylvania State Constable’s Office Nazareth – Lehigh Valley is acutely aware of the heightened sense of concern and vulnerability you may be experiencing. We stand resolute in our commitment to your safety and security. This page is designed to provide you with helpful information and professional insights, outlining actionable steps to protect your organization and its members. Our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions for the safety and security of your community.

Your Partner in Peacekeeping
and Crime Prevention

Protecting Your House of Worship and Congregation

As a law enforcement agency, the Pennsylvania State Constable’s Office Nazareth – Lehigh Valley holds the legal authority and professional training to provide high-level peacekeeping, crime prevention services, guidance, and assistance. We are not private security guards; we are sworn officers of the law, with a deep commitment to protecting and serving our communities.

As a long-trusted community partner in public safety, our solutions are proactive, professional, and flexible. By upholding peace and order, we empower your leadership to focus on your core mission without unnecessary worries and distractions.

A Higher Level of Preparedness – Enhancing Church Security

In today’s world, the threat landscape has grown increasingly complex, extending far beyond minor crime. In the face of a heightened threat environment and a national rise in critical incidents, ensuring adequate protection against dangerous and deadly threats has never been more important.

This is why understanding the distinction between a qualified professional and other security personnel is crucial. Our Constables are trained and equipped to a higher standard of readiness, standing ready to face any challenge. Unlike most private security guards, a Constable is a sworn law enforcement officer with the legal authority to enforce laws, make arrests, and carry a firearm as a core part of their duty. This enables our Constables to provide a level of safety and protection that is paramount when facing the most serious of threats.

In a crisis or critical incident, our Constables presence ensures:
  • Immediate Law Enforcement Response: Our Constables are equipped to directly intervene and neutralize a threat, protecting lives while other agencies are responding.
  • Seamless Integration: As a sworn officer, our Constables operate under the same legal and response framework as local and state police, facilitating a smooth and coordinated response to any emergency or critical incident.

If you are giving consideration to training or hiring security personnel, our office gives you options to greatly enhance your safety with qualified law enforcement professionals; providing the highest level of protection for your organization.

Professional Solutions for Your Organization

Proactive On-Site Presence

A visible and professional presence from a sworn law enforcement officer serves as a powerful deterrent to criminal activity. Our uniformed presence ensures peace and order during services, large gatherings, or daily operations, providing a heightened sense of security for your members and guests. This allows your staff and leadership to focus on their community-building mission, knowing a trained and experienced professional is on-site.

Assessments & Planning

We can perform a confidential and professional assessment of your facility and grounds. This process involves identifying all potential and existing vulnerabilities, and evaluating all current disaster, security, and emergency plans. We will provide a detailed report of findings and clear recommendations for enhancing the safety of your organization. Our goal is to help you build and maintain a robust and resilient security posture.

Training Programs

Knowledge and skills are powerful tools for preventing crime and responding to threats. Our office provides a number of training workshops for your staff and key volunteers on a variety of critical topics, including recognizing and de-escalating potential threats, mitigating and responding to an active shooter, understanding the principles of situational awareness, and developing a clear emergency action plan for various scenarios.

Law Enforcement Liaison & Coordination

Navigating a crisis can be complex and confusing. Our can help by acting as a dedicated liaison between your organization and state or municipal police departments, fire departments, and other emergency services. This ensures clear lines of communication, coordinated response, and streamlined recovery in the event of an emergency or critical incident.

Assistance with Special Gatherings

Whether for a ceremony, observance, large festival, community fundraiser, or other special event; our Constables provide professional peacekeeping, law enforcement, crime prevention, public safety, and traffic management. We will work diligently to ensure the safety of all attendees, promoting a safe, enjoyable, and smooth event.

PROTECTING THE FLOCK
Your Safety & Security Field Guide

This guide offers a clear path to improved safety and security for any faith-based organization, regardless of size or prior security experience. Developed to be inclusive and practical for any place of worship, it breaks down complex topics into easy steps and clear language.

Start with the Self-Guided Assessment to spot your organization’s immediate strengths and gaps. Then, build out critical responses, including a 911 Call Plan and a plan for Active Threats. Ensure you have defined roles, from the greeter to the point person, to guarantee a coordinated response to any incident or emergency. Get started today for a safer tomorrow.
Download the Free Field Guide

Immediate Steps to Enhance Your Safety Today

Taking proactive steps can reduce risk, and significantly enhance your safety and security. Here are some simple, no or low-cost recommendations that you can implement today; that can help improve safety and security, while providing greater peace of mind for your organization.

Form a Safety Committee

Create a small, dedicated group of trusted leaders, volunteers, and staff to regularly meet and discuss safety and security needs. This committee can be responsible for developing a safety plan and ensuring communication is clear during a crisis.

Create a Safety Plan

Document procedures for various scenarios. This should include active shooters, disasters, suspicious items, and so on. Ensure this plan includes clear actions to take, evacuation routes, communication protocols, and assigned roles for key personnel.

Situational Awareness

An easy method of enhancing safety and security is being aware of your surroundings. Train your staff and members to be mindful of their environment, identify unusual behavior, and report concerns to leadership. This is about collective awareness.

Review Security Measures

Conduct a detailed walkthrough of your facility and grounds with a focus on physical vulnerabilities. Check that all doors are locked when not in use, landscaping does not create blind spots, and lighting is adequate in all areas, especially at entrances and exits.

Develop a Communication Plan

Clear and rapid communication is critical during an emergency. Develop a plan on how to alert staff, members, and first responders to a threat. This might include a code phrase, an alarm system, or a decision tree to ensure rapid and accurate notifications.

Build Relationships with Police

Introduce your leaders and safety committee to local law enforcement. This will foster a collaborative relationship before an emergency occurs, facilitate information sharing, and ensure responders are familiar with your facility and your team.

Your Peace of Mind is Our Priority

You don’t have to navigate these changing times alone. The Pennsylvania State Constable’s Office Nazareth – Lehigh Valley is here for you. As your trusted resource and partner, we’re ready to help.

Reach out to us and speak with a qualified professional who can answer your questions, and guide you toward informed decisions regarding your specific safety and security needs.
Contact Us Today
Pennsylvania State Constable's Office

Pennsylvania State Constable's Office
Nazareth – Lehigh Valley

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