CIRCULAR No. SFC- 4 / 714 / 2010-2011
   
Dated: 21-12-2010

To,
The Administrative Committees
of Fabricas/Cofres of the Churches/Chapels.   

Dear Rev. Father/Sirs/Madams,

A few years back, precisely on 10-2-2006, through its Circular letter No. SFC-5/484/2005-2006 this Secretariat had drawn your attention to the large number of burglaries that had taken place in our various Churches/Chapels and had suggested a few steps to be taken to avoid such thefts in our places of  worship.

Later on, on 12-08-2008, through another Circular letter No. 359/3/2008-2009, this Secretariat had shared some more information received by the Church Authorities from the Police, regarding the security of our Churches/Chapels in view of the threat of bomb blasts in the State of Goa.  We had asked you to advise the people to be vigilant and to see that the suggestions made by them were implemented as far as possible.

We have now received another letter from the Police regarding the thefts and desecrations of the places of worship, which continue to take place in the State of Goa along with Security Advisory, enlisting various measures which are to be taken to ensure the safety of our places of worship. Please find overleaf a copy of this Security Advisory, requesting you to take its contents seriously and follow it up with approriate action.
 
Wishing you all the blessings of Christmas,

Yours in Christ,

(Fr. Santana Faleiro)

Secretary

SECURITY ADVISORY FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP

1. Adequate number of Security personnel may be employed for proper security check and guarding of place of worship. In case it is not possible to deploy sufficient number of Security personnel, minimum one Security Guard should be deployed at least during the night time.

2. Security guards should be provided with a Torch, Lathi and a Register which would be signed by Police on patrol duty, after checking the alertness of Security guards.

3. the Security guards must be hired from a registered Security Agency only.  Their antecedents must be got verified through beat Police.   Their  photos and other personal details should be kept on record and copies of same may be provided to Police.  Likewise, the verification of other employees should also be got done through local Police Station by filling Employees Verification Forms.

4. The number of access points needs to be reduced to minimum. Ideally one access point is easy to regulate.

5 Door Frame Metal Detector may be installed at entry point and every person must be made to pass through DFMD and should also be subjected to frisking and manual checking in case of any suspicion.  Handbags must be checked.

6. Install Alarm system and CCTV with at least 30 days storage, at all the access points, sanctum sanatorium and also at other strategic points, so as to bring whole place of worship under surveillance.  The CCTV footage should be monitored and be made available to police.

7. The cash from Donation Box should be collected on day-to-day basis. In case there is no daily clearence of cash then Donation box should be fixed to the floor on concrete platform with proper locking system.

8. All gold/silver ornaments and valuables should be kept in Bank Locker. If the ornaments cannot fit into the Bank locker, a Heavy Safe with good locking system is recommended. In fact, Strong room with multiple locking system would be highly safe.

9. The whole worship place and surrounding area should be fully illuminated. Even parking place should be sufficiently illuminated.

10. If lodging/boarding or guest room facility is available with religious institutions, the photo identity of the guests (preferably Govt. Indentity) should be insisted during the check-in and copies must be kept for record and same should be produced on demand, for scrutiny by Police.

11. In case religious institutions are unable to employ any Security personnel due to financial constraints, they should furnish the names of at least two able bodied persons from their locality who are willing to perform security duty during the night time to the Police. The Police may explore the possibility of giving some Honorarium to such Volunteer Security Guards by writing to Government.

12. The vehicles entering religious complex must be checked for suspected persons and objects.

13. Sufficient numbers of Traffic Wardens with proper uniform and reflective jackets should be deployed to ensure “No Parking” on public roads and footpaths. Parking of vehicles should be done away from the religious complex, in the Parking lots only.

14. In order to maintain proper ‘Q’ system at the religious places, steel railings may be installed.

15. Plan of the religious place showing entry and exit should be provided to the nearest Police Station.