NCJ Number
76944
Journal
Security Management Volume: 25 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1981) Pages: 43-44,46,48-49
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes a security program based on reducing opportunities for crime, developed in 1974 for the National Park Service (NPS) museums in response to the increase in burglaries, larcenies, and vandalism.
Abstract
The thrust of the physical security program has been along four main lines: employee training, standards development, preventive planning, and correction of existing problems. Training efforts, intended to make employees aware of the crime and security problems include 1-week servicewide courses. Law enforcement rangers also receive about 8 hours of physical security instruction during their initial training and several hours during a 1-week annual refresher course. The NPS has adopted the standards for security and fire protection equipment published by such agencies as Underwriters Laboratories and the National Fire Protection Association. In addition, the NPS has developed standards in-house concerning design and construction of museum exhibits. Performance standards for intrusion detection and alarm systems are being developed. Preventive planning consists of an effort to design out security problems during the planning stages of a project and of writing and implementing a crime prevention and physical security plan for each park and office in the system. In the initial stages of the planning process, the level of security that will be needed is established, based on the nature and value of the structure and its contents. At all subsequent stages, the plans are reviewed to ensure that these requirements will be met in the finished product. Correcting security problems in existing facilities is carried out by park staffs with guidance from the regional physical security coordinator, usually in the form of a survey report. The report may recommend changes in operation procedures, improved key control, replacement or augmentation of inadequate door and window hardware, etc. Parks are also encouraged to photograph and catalog their collections. Ten pointers for museum security are included.