---
title: "Arson is a Real Threat to Your Religious Facility: How to Prevent it"
description: There are several ways for places of worship to help protect their property but the most critical is verified security.
image: https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hubfs/arson%20b.png
---

[Blog](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog)

[Categories](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/arson-is-a-real-threat-to-your-religious-facility-how-to-prevent-it#)

- [Verified Security Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-security-alarms)
- [Commercial Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/commercial-security)
- [CCTV Video Surveillance](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cctv-video-surveillance)
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- [Office Workplace Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/office-workplace-security)
- [Verified Video Surveillance](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-video-surveillance)
- [SonaVision Online Monitoring](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/sonavision-online-monitoring)
- [Prevent False Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/prevent-false-alarms)
- [Verified Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-alarms)
- [Security for Construction Sites](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-construction-sites)
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- [Restaurant Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/restaurant-security)
- [Monitored Audio Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/monitored-audio-alarms)
- [CCTV](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cctv)
- [Pharmacy and Drug Store Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/pharmacy-and-drug-store-security)
- [Security Audit](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-audit)
- [Small Business Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/small-business-security)
- [Managed Access Control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/managed-access-control)
- [Prevent Copper Theft](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/prevent-copper-theft)
- [Security for Fenced Compounds](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-fenced-compounds)
- [False Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/false-alarms)
- [Police Response to Sonitrol](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/police-response-to-sonitrol)
- [Security for Marijuana Grow-Ops](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-marijuana-grow-ops)
- [Crime Prevention Tips](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/crime-prevention-tips)
- [Security Systems for Schools](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-systems-for-schools)
- [CCTV Versus Sonavision](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cctv-versus-sonavision)
- [School Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/school-security)
- [Security for Pharmacies](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-pharmacies)
- [Security for Warehouses & Manufacturing](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-warehouses-manufacturing)
- [Fenced Compounds](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/fenced-compounds)
- [Government Building Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/government-building-security)
- [Business Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/business-security)
- [Keyless Entry](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/keyless-entry)
- [Police Response Times](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/police-response-times)
- [Professional Office Seccurity](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/professional-office-seccurity)
- [Security for Place of Worship](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/security-for-place-of-worship)
- [SonaVision](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/sonavision)
- [Automotive](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/automotive)
- [Dealerships](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/dealerships)
- [Keyless Access Control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/keyless-access-control)
- [Retail](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/retail)
- [Verified Reponse](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-reponse)
- [Copper Theft](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/copper-theft)
- [Surveillance](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/surveillance)
- [Workplace security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/workplace-security)
- [vandalism](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/vandalism)
- [Access Control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/access-control)
- [Audio Intrusion](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/audio-intrusion)
- [Equipment](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/equipment)
- [Financial Institutions](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/financial-institutions)
- [Legal Marijuana Grow-Op Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/legal-marijuana-grow-op-security)
- [Offices](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/offices)
- [Place of Worship](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/place-of-worship)
- [commercial security audit](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/commercial-security-audit)
- [Cannabis Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/cannabis-security)
- [Church](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/church)
- [Criminal Apprehension](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/criminal-apprehension)
- [Guaranteed Commercial Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/guaranteed-commercial-security)
- [Restaurants](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/restaurants)
- [employee theft](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/employee-theft)
- [Construction](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/construction)
- [False Alarm Permits](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/false-alarm-permits)
- [Fraud](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/fraud)
- [Government Security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/government-security)
- [Technology](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/technology)
- [criminal captures](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/criminal-captures)
- [education](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/education)

# Arson is a Real Threat to Your Religious Facility: How to Prevent it

![Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Website/Images/joe-blog-avatar.png?width=50&height=50&name=joe-blog-avatar.png)

 by [Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/author/joe-wilson)

October 20, 2022

![arson b](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hs-fs/hubfs/arson%20b.png?width=1200&height=600&name=arson%20b.png)This past July, a Downtown Eastside church in Vancouver, British Columbia[burned down](https://globalnews.ca/news/8973218/large-fire-displaces-dozens-in-downtown-vancouver-church-and-hotel-destroyed/). The fire also took down the adjacent convenience store and came close to burning down a nearby hotel. 

In September, police announced that the fire was being[ investigated as a suspected arson](https://globalnews.ca/news/9114394/downtown-eastside-church-arson-police/). They have three suspects. 

The good news is that nobody was injured, but the church and store were completely gutted. Police also believe that the suspects knew of the fire and had time to either put it out or call for help, but instead left the fire to burn.

Nearby cameras show one suspect lighting the fire in a nearby alleyway then leaving. The remaining two suspects both see the fire. One leaves, then returns before walking away a second time. The other lights a cigarette before following suit and walking away. In the background you can see the fire getting bigger. 

While it is good that police have footage of the suspects, the camera appears to be a [traditional CCTV system](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/sonitrol-verified-alarms-vs-conventional-alarms) that records crimes as they occur. The problem is this type of system does nothing to alert anybody of the crime until after the fact when the video is reviewed. This means that the damage is already done, as was the case in this particular situation. 

In addition, there have been no updates regarding whether the suspects have been questioned or arrested. 

Whatever the motive behind lighting this fire was, one thing is for sure. A church and a business have burned down, and the emotional and physical damage has been done.

**So how could a situation like this be prevented? **

There are several ways for [places of worship to help protect their property](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/video-cctv-security-for-churches-faith-based-and-religious-organizations) but the most critical is verified security. This is especially true for organizations in high-risk areas with more criminal activity. 

With [verified security](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/integrated-security-technology-for-commercial-security-alarms), operators can hear and see what is happening in your organization. Once the source of the alarm is verified, they can then get the police to attend the scene. Because the alarms are verified, the police will head out immediately, arriving at the scene on average in just 3.5 minutes, versus the 45 minutes or more with traditional CCTV systems. 

Police also use real-time information provided by the operators to increase apprehension rates.  

As an added level of security, Sonitrol systems can be easily integrated with [fire detection](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/fire-alarm-monitoring-smoke-and-heat-detectors-sprinkler-monitors), intrusion alarms and [managed access control](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/keyless-access-managed-access-control-office-building-security) to ensure your religious organization is safe from any threat. 

In addition, we also ensure that your property has 100 percent coverage inside and out. This means that back-alley entrances will be just as secure as the inside of your place of worship.

Your organization does tremendous good for the community you serve. A fire, a burglary or even a false accusation could seriously threaten your ability to carry out your mission. At Sonitrol, we want to keep your organization safe to ensure you can continue to fulfill your mission. 

Interested in learning more about how you can enhance your security? [Get a free security audit with Sontitrol’s team of specialists today](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/free-commercial-security-plan-for-your-business-is-your-cctv-system-working-and-is-your-business-secure). 

[![Free Security Audit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/325814/5281e424-fbc1-4fa0-98e4-4c5fc213d4ce.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/325814/5281e424-fbc1-4fa0-98e4-4c5fc213d4ce)

**Tags: **

[Verified Security Alarms](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/topic/verified-security-alarms)

![Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Website/Images/joe-blog-avatar.png?width=50&height=50&name=joe-blog-avatar.png)

Post by [Joe Wilson](https://www.sonitrolwesterncanada.com/blog/author/joe-wilson)  
 October 20, 2022

 We provide our customers with the best commercial security solutions and quality service backed by our unique Guarantee and Commitment to Service. It's something unverified conventional alarm companies simply cannot guarantee!

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