NCJ Number
58356
Journal
Security Management Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 48-49,51-52,54
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS SECURITY MANAGEMENT SURVEY OF PERSONS INVOLVED WITH MUSEUM OR ART SECURITY EMPHASIZES THE TRAINING AND ALERTNESS OF THE SECURITY GUARDS, BUT ALSO COVERS PUBLICITY, EQUIPMENT, AND BUILDING PLANNING.
Abstract
AN INTERVIEW WITH ALLEN GORE, SECURITY DIRECTOR OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK CITY, CARL COLOZZI OF THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART, AND DONALD MASON, OF THE INTERNATIONAL GUIDE TO MISSING TREASURES, INDICATES THAT THE SELECTION, TRAINING, AND MOTIVATION OF SECURITY GUARDS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN MAINTAINING ART MUSEUM SECURITY. GORE AND COLOZZI MAINTAIN PARAMILITARY TYPE ORGANIZATION FOR THEIR MUSEUMS, WITH CAREFUL SUPERVISION AND DISCIPLINE, AND FREQUENT ROTATION OF DUTY TO BREAK THE MONOTONY.THEY TEND TO AGREE THAT ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEMS CAN AUGMENT, BUT CANNOT REPLACE THE ALERT GUARD. GUARDS MUST ALWAYS REMAIN POLITE, EVEN WHEN FACED WITH RUDE VISITORS, BUT MUST ANSWER QUESTIONS WITHOUT BECOMING TOO INVOLVED AND LETTING THEIR ATTENTION WANDER. LETTING PEOPLE WHO APPEAR TO HAVE OTHER THINGS ON THEIR MINDS BESIDES JUST LOOKING AT ARTWORK KNOW THAT THEY ARE BEING WATCHED IS THE BEST PREVENTATIVE FOR THEFT. GUARDS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER ASPECTS OF SECURITY BESIDES ART THEFT, INCLUDING PROTECTING ART OBJECTS AGAINST FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE AND PROTECTING VISITORS. MASON, A SECURITY CONSULTANT, STATES THAT PHOTOGRAPHS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ART TREASURES SHOULD BE KEPT AND RELEASED IMMEDIATELY TO COLLEAGUES, POLICE, AND INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS IF A THEFT OCCURS. ALTHOUGH IT IS ADVISABLE TO HIRE CONSULTANTS WHEN ESTABLISHING A SECURITY SYSTEM, IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO PAY FOR GOOD SECURITY BECAUSE OF THE WAY MUSEUM BUDGETS ARE PROVIDED. PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (TWB)