NYC is home to anywhere from 600 to 1,000 synagogues and churches (depending on who you ask), and even more if you look in Long Island. Roughly half of the US population describes themselves as religious, attending everything from morning mass to Shabbat dinner. With so many people flocking to churches, synagogues, community centers, and home meetings, safety is a serious issue.
Unfortunately, the beauty of New York’s diverse population has its darker sides. Some will break into temples across Chinatown and damage statues. Others will threaten or take action by shooting religious institutions like synagogues. These crimes put fear in peaceful gatherings from New York to Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Faith is a personal choice. It shouldn’t be subject to those who would do harm to others simply because they believe in something different. Installing bullet-resistant doors is a good way to ensure your assembly or congregation remains protected during services.
Why Houses of Worship Are Prioritizing Bullet Resistant Systems
Sanctuaries are not a place for violence. Really, no place is right for violence, but where people gather in peace for reflection and communal learning should be off-limits. Security threats must be taken seriously. To overlook a bomb threat or ISIS-styled shooting is to risk the lives of your many parishioners, including the children.
Discreetly made, high-performance, bullet-resistant windows and doors help alleviate much of the stress of daily events. These systems include:
- Bullet-resistant doors for interior and exterior egress.
- Bullet-resistant windows and transaction panels for intermediary spaces.
- Fully integrated bullet-resistant storefronts for the faith-based outreach programs and supportive businesses around churches and synagogues.
The beauty of these doors is they are not designed to intimidate your attendees. When our team at Lock City NYC installs such systems, we integrate them thoughtfully, ensuring you can maintain the ambiance and architectural heritage of your New York or Long Island space while still getting the added protection you need.
What to Look for in Bullet Resistant Doors and Windows
It is important to note that not all bullet-resistant doors or windows are built the same. Different materials will bring different security ratings. You also need to carefully consider weight, visibility to the public, and any customization requests.
We follow the ballistic protection standards outlined by UL 752 or NIJ. These are the same levels of protection the Department of Justice recommends for government-run buildings. Most range from Level I to Level VIII, with Level III being ideal for religious institutions. That will protect against commonly found high-powered handguns and certain rifles without the added expense of weight or military-grade materials.
You can also combine bullet-resistant systems with different fittings and materials. These may include:
- BR250 Aluminum Framing: Lighter-weight materials that are corrosion-resistant and extremely strong under pressure. They are finished with a clear anodized coating for a modern look.
- Glass-Clad Polycarbonate Glazing: A more sophisticated material that combines glass layers with polycarbonate sheets, so you get plenty of transparency without bullet penetration or shattering.
- Low Spall Protection: This feature reduces the risk of interior debris causing injuries.
We can customize each of the bullet-resistant windows and doors in your building. From a Gothic Revival synagogue in Suffolk County to needing a bullet-resistant storefront next door to a church in the Bronx, we have you covered.
Local Project Spotlight: Young Israel of Great Neck
Lock City is proud to have empowered the members of Young Israel of Great Neck. This is a well-established synagogue in the heart of Great Neck, NY, where we refined the entrance with top-tier protection while still respecting the look and feel so it would remain a welcoming presence to the community.
Features used in this project included:
- Level III BR250 aluminum framing in a clear anodized finish.
- Level III clear glass-clad polycarbonate glazing is 1.18” thick and weighs 13.81 lbs./sqft.
- Fully integrated components built for both beauty and ballistic resistance.
The resulting building face is still inviting, architecturally cohesive, and FEMA grant compliant, ensuring Young Israel of Great Neck could take advantage of additional funding to keep members safe and at ease.
FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), run by FEMA, aids religious institutions in receiving bullet-resistant system upgrades. These funds can cover expenses of physical security enhancements for all kinds of nonprofits, ensuring you can maintain your mission of peace and community building without the fear of someone trying to cause havoc.
Most of the funds from the grant cover equipment (like bullet-resistant doors and windows), installation/construction services, and consultation and design fees. Availability may fluctuate depending on federal properties, but many churches in and around NYC have used this to offset installation costs.
At Lock City NYC, we can help you plan a bullet-resistant system that aligns well with current NSGP guidelines. That ensures compliance and maximizes your potential for funding approval.
Why Religious Institutions Across NYC Trust Lock City
To be clear, we’d love to not offer this service. It would be ideal to live in a world where those with dissenting opinions or suffering from emotional or trauma do not take those feelings out on the peaceful gatherings of human beings around the city. However, as a leading team of security professionals, we feel responsible for helping wherever we can – especially with those at higher risk.
We have clients from landmark churches in Brooklyn to community synagogues in Queens and small congregations in the Bronx reach out for advice all of the time. Lock City NYC is a trusted provider of bullet-resistant systems that balance design, budget, and safety for clients in New York, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.
With over 15 years of experience, we work in and around NYC, offering custom solutions for every space. We will take the time to listen to your needs, carefully assessing how bullet-resistant doors or windows will improve your operations and the best ways to blend our products into your already existing religious spaces so there is as little disruption as possible.
Our professional team handles everything from initial consultation to full system design, installation, and ongoing support. We will manage the project to your specifications, doing all we can to maintain timeliness and ensure compliance with local codes and grant programs.
Protection Brings Peace
We all remember the Tree of Life shooting. Eleven people going about their day and living life in the Jewish community were killed due to the rantings of a self-described antisemite. This is not a singular event.
Look around the world, and you’ll see similar events happening to rural Baptist churches in the south all the way to Italian catholic churches being vandalized. For some reason, those with an axe to grind, view religious organizations as vulnerable and responsible for their failings.
There is peace spread from the heart of religious institutions. Different faiths always come together to help community members move past a sudden loss or fund food banks and clothing closets for those in need. The simple act of a parishioner listening to someone in need creates positive ripples across the minds of our society.
We can and should do more to ensure the safety of those who would give out of the kindness of their hearts and dedication to personal faith.
Get Started Today
Your building’s security should never feel like a compromise. With the right bullet-resistant doors, windows, and storefronts, your place of worship can remain open and welcoming to the community you serve.
Lock City NYC is honored to serve religious institutions across the five boroughs. We help your leaders and governing boards make well-informed and strategic decisions. From Great Neck to Brooklyn, NYC to Long Island, and beyond, we are here to ensure your sanctuary remains just that – a sanctuary.
Contact us today for a free on-site consultation and estimate. Take the first step toward a safe, more secure environment, so all your members can focus on what really matters – their faith above and in the world we live in.
