1. Observe
Send initial details quickly and discreetly.
Suspicious Person / BOLO Workflow
Build fast awareness without creating loud, unfocused chatter.
A structured BOLO process gives responders clarity and leadership control while minimizing disruption in worship environments.
Suspicious person BOLO sequence
2. Route
Supervisor targets alerts to relevant on-duty roles.
3. Resolve
Review timeline and follow-up actions after service.
BOLO discipline in real buildings
A BOLO is only as good as the specificity and restraint of the first message. Clothing, direction of travel, and behavior beats adjectives that sound alarming but do not help responders converge. Supervisors should have a practiced habit: confirm who is moving, who is watching exits, and who stays with the congregation so worship stays steady when possible.
After resolution, capture what changed: Was law enforcement involved? Did children’s ministry need a quiet heads-up? Was parking rerouted? Those answers belong in structured follow-up, not in a long debrief thread. Compare watchlist governance and parking escalation when your BOLO overlaps perimeter or sensitive populations.