Since the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, incidents of arson fires targeting places of worship in America have grabbed national headlines. We may think the social and cultural climate has changed enough that we don’t have to worry about that kind of fire-setting anymore, but the available data suggests otherwise.

Data from the Pew Research Center shows that there were 4,705 reported fires in houses of worship in the U.S. between 1996 and 2015, and 2,378 (51 percent) were intentionally set. From 2005 through 2018, there have been 29 confirmed arson fires in houses of worship in our state, 15 of those – slightly more than half – occurring in the most recent five years. (Several others remain under investigation, the evidence not strong enough for investigators to classify them as arson.) Fortunately, none of these fires resulted in loss of life, but property damage alone ran well into the millions of dollars.

Given the escalating religious, racial and ethnic tensions in the U.S. today, those of us in public safety – and particularly in the fire service – must remember that predictable tragedies are preventable. While churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples may never be completely arson-proof, we can reduce the likelihood of such occurrences. A number of Minnesota public safety agencies have appointed liaisons who meet regularly with leaders of local faith communities; establish strong relationships; and communicate some simple, proactive steps they can take to keep their congregants safe and their structures intact.

Since it’s worth noting that this type of arson is often preceded by acts of vandalism, those in charge of houses of worship should be encouraged to maintain contact with their local police and fire departments, and to report any and all acts of vandalism on their property.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) advises that houses of worship:

• Clean house: Remove materials from within and surrounding buildings that could fuel a fire.
• Establish a Community Watch Program: Train a dynamic group of volunteers, build a partnership between fire and emergency services.
• Illuminate exterior and entrances: Place motion-activated lighting near the entrance. Interior lights on timers give the illusion the place is occupied.
• Install smoke alarms and sprinkler systems.
• Keep doors and windows locked.

Here’s a link to a printable tip sheet from USFA.