Lowcountry seminars focus on keeping places of worship safe

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) _ The Charleston County Sheriff’s Department is holding a series of one-day training seminars this week on protecting places of worship. Sheriff Al Cannon says following the slayings of nine black parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston back in June, security for places of worship has become increasingly important. The seminars are designed for religious leaders and their staffs as well as community and political leaders. The free seminars are being offered Monday and Tuesday as well as Thursday through Saturday at the county sheriff’s department. Instructors from Training Force USA, a company based in Florida, are providing the instruction. The areas of discussion focus domestic and workplace violence and the importance of having safety plans for houses of worship.