Safe Worship: Help Us Keep St. Philip Safe

You are our eyes and ears; please report trespassers, suspicious activity

Church Security is Everyone's Responsibility.

To support a safe and peaceful environment for our parishioners and visitors, please look for and report suspicious activity in or around our buildings, particularly in our parking lots. Recent tragedies should make us more vigilent in our duty to protect our St. Philip family.

  • If you are interested in assisting with St. Philip's safety efforts, please contact the Rectory Office or complete our Volunteer Sign-Up Form.

Mary Stewart, Director of Risk Management for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, reminds us that more than half of the incidents start in the parking lot, so she asks that we pay special attention in these areas. (Watch Stewart's interview with WJLA here.)

Trust your instincts. If you see something, say something. 

Suspicious or dangerous activities includes:

  • Someone wandering around the grounds, on foot or in a vehicle, and not going into the Church or buildings.
  • People yelling, arguing or fighting.
  • Putting flyers or other material on vehicles.
  • Multiple cars parking and the occupants leaving in one vehicle, or one vehicle dropping off people who leave in multiple cars. (Carpools to church-sponsored events excepted.)
  • Driving irratically, speeding or doing "driver's training" in our parking lot.
  • Selling food or other items from a vehicle or cart. Vendors are trespassing and not allowed on St. Philip property.
  • Individuals or groups asking for money or donations.

These activities are NOT allowed in our buildings or parking lots.

  

If you see suspicious activity:

  • If you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others, or if you witness a crime, call 9-1-1 immediately. You do not need anyone's permission to call for assitance.

If it is suspicious but not an actual emergency:

  • Before, during or after Mass, please report concerns to an usher, greeter, or staff member.
  • During business hours, report issues to the office.
  • After business hours, leave a message on the office voicemail.
  • Collect as much information as possible, including descriptions of the vehicles and people, and license plate numbers. Write it down!
  • Take a photo if you can do so safely.

Loitering or any type of soliciting, including asking for money, goods or services for personal use or for a charity, is not allowed on St. Philip property. Authorized fundraising activities will be announced in the Bulletin and during Mass announcements.

Please do not give money to people seeking financial or other assistance on St. Philip property. Direct them to the Rectory Office, where they will be given information on how to request aid and given information on many other resources. The best way to help is to donate to the St. Philip Poor Box and the St. Philip Food Pantry. 

  • If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or other crisis, please seek help. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board offers emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for persons in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency. Services include crisis intervention and stabilization, and evaluation for referrals to crisis care facilities, emergency shelters, and hospitals.

St. Philip sometimes hires off-duty law enforcement officers to direct traffic and provide additional security in our church and parking lot. Their presence does not mean that there is any threat or concern. Please remember to thank these officers for their assistance and pray for their ongoing safety as they protect our neighborhood.

Thank you for helping us keep our parking lots and buildings safe. St. Micheal the Archangel, defend us in battle! 

 

Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. 

 

 

 

Other resources