Gregory Dunn

Greg Dunn, Managing Director Security Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Some Utahns may worry that international terrorists could someday strike Utah, but Brigham Young University, LDS Church headquarters and church chapels across the state are apparently not a target, said Gregory Dunn, the managing director of security for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gregg Dunn, managing director of security for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, taught students how to effectively manage security risks by themselves last week.

"We can manage risks wherever we are in the world, but it is important that we understand them and are aware of them," Dunn said.

Dunn spoke in a Global Focus Series lecture for the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies.

Speaking on the danger and crime in areas of the world such as Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Russia, Dunn said it's necessary for people to be familiar with the customs, history and culture of the country they are visiting.

"For example, people are not aware of the many dangerous terrorists groups in South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Russia and other countries," Dunn said."These terrorists groups are just as evil and wicked as Al-Qaida and can cause significant harm to tourists visiting that country."

Dunn said the five most murderous countries in the world per 100,000 people rank in order from Colombia, South Africa, the United States, Canada and Russia.

"In sub-Saharan Africa, crime is dramatically increasing and just this past year, there were over 3,000 police officers killed," Dunn said."With the exception of South Africa, there never has been a change in governmental leaders of these countries where blood wasn't shed and violence didn't occur."

Dunn said radical Islamic terrorists groups such as Al-Qaida, target rich locations such as hotels, government buildings and tourist attractions.He also said members of the LDS church can be safe while touring these locations but they ought to be aware of possible dangers.

"Criminals look for targets," Dunn said."If you make yourself an unattractive target, your criminal will find another target."

Dunn also said he believes the risk of being hurt as members of the church only presents itself if someone's at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"We must keep risks in perspective," Dunn said."The world is a risky place, but we can travel and work overseas if we avoid being a victim."

He said the key to traveling safely overseas is preparation.

"It's a good idea to have an extra copy of your passport, visa, plane tickets, and extra photos in a safe place in case you lose them on your trip," Dunn said."Also, carry only a modest amount of cash and two credit cards just in case you lose one."

He said by avoiding late arrivals, traveling light and carrying a small wallet in your front pocket, travelers can reduce the risk of being a target of criminal activity dramatically.

"If a criminal decides to rob you at gunpoint or threatens you for an item, remember that there is nothing you have in your possession that is more important than your own life," Dunn said.

He said the biggest risks when traveling overseas are generally health-related.

"If you take into account and practice these basic principles of managing risks, your chances of entering a life-threatening situation will be extremely low," Dunn said.

Some Utahns may worry that international terrorists could someday strike Utah, but Brigham Young University, LDS Church headquarters and church chapels across the state are apparently not a target, said Gregory Dunn, the managing director of security for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

America is a target-heavy country, Dunn told a group of BYU international studies majors in a lecture Wednesday.That means the multiple government buildings, large cities, McDonald's restaurants and tourist attractions are more apt to become targets, Dunn said.
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Dunn said church buildings in other countries are surprisingly just as safe as they are in Utah.

"It turns out the church just isn't really that well known in the places where the risk is greatest," he said."The church carries a lot of anonymity in many places of the world."

The biggest risk to church members is being in the "wrong place at the wrong time" in other places of the world, but this risk should not prevent members from leaving the comforts and safety of Utah, Dunn said.

Three years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, Dunn stood in a New York City high rise and watched the planes crash into the World Trade Center, but this does not keep him away from the city.

"It was a terrible thing," he said."Thousands died, but millions of people on the island of Manhattan lived.My wife and I still enjoy a trip to New York City."

But people who travel, especially out of the United States, must assess the risks of every place they go, just like LDS Church security officers scope out international countries and cities before sending church leaders anywhere.

Dunn said church leaders are often called to visit places such as Nigeria, which has 90,000 members, several church buildings, a nearly completed temple and daily acts of violence.

"We do huge amounts of preparation," he said."The brethren go to the places they are assigned to go to, but sometimes the members don't know a high-profile person is coming until they get there."

The best way to travel in an uncertain world is to be informed and smart, Dunn said.

Multiple government buildings, large cities, McDonald's restaurants and tourist attractions are more apt to become targets of international targets, said Gregory Dunn, the managing director of security for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
...
Dunn said church buildings in other countries are as safe as they are in Utah.

"It turns out the church just isn't really that well known in the places where the risk is greatest," he said."The church carries a lot of anonymity in many places of the world."

The biggest risk to church members is being in the "wrong place at the wrong time" in other places of the world, but this risk should not prevent people from traveling, Dunn said.

Those who travel, especially out of the United States, must assess the risks of every place they go, just like LDS Church security officers scope out international countries and cities before sending church leaders anywhere.

Dunn said church leaders are often called to visit places such as Nigeria, which has 90,000 members, several church buildings, a nearly completed temple and daily acts of violence.

"We do huge amounts of preparation," he said."The brethren go to the places they are assigned to go to, but sometimes the members don't know a high-profile person is coming until they get there."

The best way to travel in an uncertain world is to be informed and smart, Dunn said.

"Almost always when we have something happen with a missionary in a foreign country it is because they cut a corner or took an alley they didn't have to take," he said.

J. Gregory Dunn, managing director of security for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will present "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go: Managing Security Risks Worldwide" at a Global Focus Series lecture today at noon in room 238 of the Herald R. Clark Building on campus.Dunn oversees global security for the church with more than 25 years of experience in security risk management, major criminal investigations, forensic audits and security program design.As a certified public accountant, Dunn is also a former special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Gregg Dunn, managing director of security for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, taught students how to effectively manage security risks by themselves last week.

LDS official: Churches not terrorism targets | Gregory Dunn, the managing director of security for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says government buildings, large cities, McDonald's restaurants and tourist attractions are more likely targets (Associated Press)