Protecting our Cultural Property
June 2005
More and more tourism offices and convention and visitor bureaus are becoming aware that cultural property, such as the tangible (often called the plastic) arts and architecture are not only a major attraction but also need special protection. Unfortunately, few police departments are aware that these priceless “objets d’art” not only need special protection, but that there is a whole series of courses and special units available to them. Cultural property robberies are on the increase around the world. European museums have been especially hard hit, but there have also been major robberies in the United States, Latin America and Asia. When these thefts occur, not only does the cultural institution lose part of its reason for being, but the entire community suffers. Tourism especially suffers, as cultural property is often one of the principal reasons that people visit a locale. Here are some ideas regarding cultural property protection.
- Be mindful of some of the special needs and risks at your cultural property institutions. Cultural property institutions are easy to stake out. These are institutions that attract repeat visitors and people who spend a great deal of time. It is easy for a thief to make several visits to one particular spot and no one will notice. Additionally, cultural property institutions tend to see people as good and work under the assumption that their visitors are there to learn, thus personnel are happy to answer what they may believe to be innocent questions when in reality these questions may be for purposes of reconnaissance.
- Be aware of the fact that most visitors and cultural property employees may be in a state of denial. There have been a number of incidents in which art thieves have stolen major works of art in front of the museum’s other guests. Often, visitors to a museum are so focused on the art that they fail to believe that someone may be in the building for the purpose of robbery. Because cultural property institutions are often not crowded, visitors frequently have long periods of time in which to be alone with a piece of art. Guards are often in more than one chamber while on duty. Those who come for less noble reasons have this same advantage.
- Realize that your cultural property is at risk. The theft of cultural property is part of a major worldwide crime wave. Unfortunately, once a piece of art is stolen, the chances of recovery are slim. It is much cheaper and efficient to protect a piece of art than it is to recover a piece of stolen art.
- Museums are not the only places that house cultural property. Other major places where a great deal of cultural property is housed are libraries and universities. University campuses often house both rare book collections and art collections. What is your relationship with these collections? Were they to be lost, stolen or damaged, how would this loss impact your tourism industry?
- Take the time to meet with your cultural property protection services. Many people in the tourism industry simply assume that security is being handled until something happens. At that point, they are dealing with a tourism crisis and explaining to the media why there was a lack of precaution.
- Make sure that there is a cultural property business plan. This plan should include such things as what are the newest regulations, an analysis of the center’s physical security, what dangers the public may be exposed to, how much tension there is between the center’s employees and its management and what is the relationship between employee morale and security.
- Learn who is working at cultural property centers. Often we assume that curators and other museum workers are honest and above board. In most cases, this assumption is correct, but unfortunately there have been a number of cultural property thefts that have been organized by people working at the museum. These types of inside jobs are much harder to prevent and once done, it may take years to connect the thief to the art institute’s employees. Make sure that all people working at cultural property centers have a full security background check.
- Be aware that cultural property centers may also be places where bio-chemical or mail bomb attacks may occur. That means that not only must museum employees be trained in basic security, but that they must also be given at least some training in these newest forms of attack.
- Do not become overly reliant on technology. Technology can provide the tourism industry with wonderful tools, but it does not replace the human being. The basic rule of thumb is that someone who understands high-tech can often disable high-tech with well-thought out low tech. Technology is good, but never rely solely on it.
- Develop a business recovery plan. No one wants to think about a possible art robbery, but should it happen, ask yourself what the consequences will be to your community and attraction. How will you replace the lost revenue due to the fact that people will have one less attraction in your community? What will be the negative consequences due to media stories regarding the loss?
- Be aware: In North America, there are two yearly conferences held each year dealing with cultural property protection. The International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCCP) is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The IFCCP organizes a yearly conference and can be contacted at www.ifccp.net. Contact Rob Layne at layneconsult@earthlink.net. The Smithsonian Institute also runs a yearly conference and can be contacted via James McLaughlin at Mclaughj@ops.si.edu. No matter what: Do not forget that there is no thing, person, or reputation that cannot be stolen, damaged or destroyed.
