SECURITY FOR THE SMALL HISTORICAL ORGANIZATION

By Brian Hacket, Executive Director, Montgomery County Historical Society, Dayton

Local History Notebook, July / August 1996

My name is Brian Hackett. I am the Executive Director of the Montgomery County Historical Society in Dayton, Ohio, and I have been a victim of crime. In fact, I have been a victim of, or witness to, several crimes. Fortunately, none of these crimes was serious, but they all could have been prevented had there been a little more diligence paid to security issues by myself or members of the society's staff.

Crime is an act, sometimes violent, of wrong doing against a person or an institution. It is carried out by a person or persons whose intent is to do harm, physical damage, or theft. Crime is ever present. However, it may surprise you to learn that crime is often committed by individuals who are aided by their victims. Therefore, in many cases, the secret to crime prevention is to eliminate the advantage given to criminals.

I was first introduced to crime in the history business while serving as a curator in a small historical society in Minnesota. One day, while busily working in my office, the society's librarian, who was visibly upset, paid me a visit. The librarian was a well-organized person who managed the society's historical and genealogical library with the utmost professionalism and efficiency. Furthermore, she was proud of the fact that she had helped to develop a "user friendly" library and instituted safety features designed to safeguard the library and archival collections.

The librarian told me that a "little old lady" had come to the library to locate her grandparents' obituaries in back issues of the local newspaper. The heart of the library's collections consisted of bound copies of the newspaper. The newspapers had been microfilmed, but the originals were made available to people who preferred to use them. The "little old lady" specified dates of the issues she wanted to see and requested the originals as "microfilm is hard to read with my weak eyes." The librarian pulled the newspapers from the shelves and then had engaged the woman in what was later referred to as "delightful conversation." Leaving the room to refill her coffee cup, she left the patron alone to do her research since she "looked harmless." The librarian had been out of the room for only a few minutes, but when she returned to the reading room, she found that the woman had left. To her shock and utter disbelief, she also found that the 'harmless little old lady" had removed her grandparent's obituaries from the newspapers with a pair of scissors.

Types of Criminals

There are many types of criminals who might enter your historical organization, but three types are the most common. They are the "unassuming or unlikely," the common thief, and the professional. Of the three, the last is the most difficult to defend against, and the common thief can be the most dangerous.

The first type, the unassuming or unlikely, refers to people young and old who take from your institution, not by plan or malice of forethought, but purely by impulse action. They usually do not steal for financial gain. Their actions are impulsive. Perhaps the item reminds them of something they had as a child, or, like the obituary-stealing woman, perhaps they think certain items are valuable only to them. Children often fall into this category. They see something they like, and suddenly it is in their hand, and before they really know it, they have taken it home.

The common thief is more likely to be dangerous and costly. He or she can cause collateral damage to your institution during the hunt for things to steal. They have been known to vandalize historical organizations by starting fires or turning on the sprinkler system. They are more likely to cause physical harm to staff or patrons when confronted. They generally look for material to "fence" quickly. The real danger may not be to your collections but rather to your office equipment or petty cash. This type of thief seeks items to sell on the open market. They typically stay away from museum or archival collections because they can be difficult to unload. Possible exceptions, however, include guns, jewelry, or Native American artifacts, such items that are in high demand and easy to sell.

The professional thief approaches crime scientifically. Known to have stripped rooms of their valuable pieces in the presence of a guard, the professional thief works fast, knows exactly what he or she wants, and seldom makes mistakes. When planning a robbery, the professional becomes familiar with the institution's security systems and layout. Professional thieves often burglarize several historical organizations in a geographic area, always seeking the same types of collections. Native American artifacts are a prime target, since there is an extremely large black market in these items and they command high prices.

The professional thief's "MO" is usually quite simple. He or she will visit your institution and take a standard tour, making mental notes regarding security systems, location and type of artifacts, and personnel on duty. The thief might engage your staff in polite conversation, gently probing for information. After scoping the layout, he or she leaves and returns at a later date. Upon return they usually steal selectively, seldom becoming greedy, which makes them more difficult to catch. This type of criminal often works in pairs or groups, so one can distract the docent or guard while the other steals from the organization.

Security Systems

Security systems are great if you can afford them. There are many reliable companies that provide effective service. I recommend that if you have docents at your museum who are working alone, that you pay the few extra dollars and get a system with a "panic button." A "panic button" is a device, much like a garage-door opener, that activates your alarm from a remote location. This gives your employees or volunteers the chance to set off the alarm if confronted by an intruder or if threatened in any way. A security system should also automatically call the police, fire department, or ambulance when needed. Remember, your collections can be replaced, but your staff, volunteers, and visitors cannot.

Low-Cost Security

Most crime prevention is based on common sense, and therefore it is important that you become totally aware of your institution's surroundings. The more difficult you make it for the would-be thief, the less likely you will be robbed. To begin, compile information about security issues. Most local police agencies provide free security audits and will give you literature to help you with your battle against crime.

Very Low Cost Security

The great magician Harry Houdini once boasted that he could pick any lock, any place, any time. To prove his boast, wherever he traveled, he challenged local police departments to find a way to keep him from escaping from their jails. In one such jail, police officers handcuffed Houdini and placed him in one of their jail cells. After quickly removing the handcuffs, he set out to pick the lock on the cell door. He worked at the lock but for a reason unknown to him, he could not get the tumblers to turn. After nearly an hour of futile effort, he leaned against the door in exhaustion and it swung open. The door had never been locked. Understandably, Houdini had convinced himself that the door was locked, and obviously the unlocked door proved more formidable than a locked door.

What To Do If You Have Been Robbed

It is important to develop a plan of action before you are robbed or your staff and visitors are threatened. If a crime has occurred or is about to happen, call the police. Do not hesitate. The longer you wait the less likely an artifact, archival document, or piece of office equipment will be recovered.

Conclusion

Effective security for your historical organization need not be expensive, but it is an important consideration that requires diligence and foresight. Security means that your organization must establish procedural policies and then adhere to them. Security also means that your organization is stating that it does not trust people--visitors and possibly even staff. Some people may object to limitations put on their freedom. However, safety and security are responsibilities that should not be taken lightly. Your organization is pledged to protect its property for the enjoyment of future generations. It is important that the staff, volunteers, and the items in your institution's care be safe from harm. It is important to learn not to be a victim.

The Local History Notebook is edited and published by the Ohio Historical Society's Local History Office in order to bring useful information to people working in the local history field. The selection of subjects' and authors is based on the OAHSM Editorial Board's and the Local History Office's determination of issues which are timely in nature and lasting in scope. The reprints are copyrighted 1996 by the Ohio Historical Society. Reprints are available individually or as complete sets. For further information, contact: