Hello all-

Thought I would give some good news on the "Theft" front. We believe we may have thwarted a possible theft of our original drinking fountain/ container on our ex-GT combine this weekend. We have had problems with this piece once before: in both occassions, the individual tried to remove the tank from its "pocket" in the car. The first time we had little or no evidence, other than it was out of kilter; now we do. We have since installed a wireless camera setup (historic wooden railcars dictate this, IMHO) and it "caught" the person in the act. The camera feed goes back to our depot office. Our site manager noticed the individual grab the tank, and try to remove it from the pocket. This is no longer a small feat, as there are elements in place which do somewhat tie it to the wall behind it. When confronted, the individual denied it completely at first, as he had not seen our camera. He then back-tracked, saying that he just "wished to get a closer look". We captured this individual on tape, and have warned our volunteers to keep and eye out for him. Unfortunately, we can't do much more than that, as he did not walk out of the building with it, but if he tries to come in again he's toast.

This may have also been the same individual who tried to renmove our "Property of Grand Trunk Wesetern" plates from the car's exterior about two months ago. Security screws and hardware thwarted this attempt as well. However, armed with the knowledge of the Strasburg incident, we decided to have duplicates of the originals cast, and with a nod to the Ohio Central, the backs are marked "Stolen from the Thomas Edison Depot Museum." The staff hated to do this, but unfortunately it is becoming increasingly clear that there are some who have the audacity to call themselves "railfans" who think that anything not tied down (or tied-down, in this case) on historic equipment is theirs.

TJG

Port Huron Museum
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

> ...The first time we had little or
> no evidence, other than it was out of
> kilter; now we do. We have since installed a
> wireless camera setup (historic wooden
> railcars dictate this, IMHO) and it
> "caught" the person in the act.
> The camera feed goes back to our depot
> office. Our site manager noticed the
> individual grab the tank, and try to remove
> it from the pocket. This is no longer a
> small feat, as there are elements in place
> which do somewhat tie it to the wall behind
> it. When confronted, the individual denied
> it completely at first, as he had not seen
> our camera. He then back-tracked, saying
> that he just "wished to get a closer
> look". We captured this individual on
> tape, and have warned our volunteers to keep
> and eye out for him. Unfortunately, we can't
> do much more than that, as he did not walk
> out of the building with it, but if he tries
> to come in again he's toast...

I realize that the museum's video is not something most prosecutors would be excited about. However, when a perp is identified in some way, why not add his/her name to an informal watch list of individuals known to have designs on historic railroad hardware? I'm not talking about a blacklist of mere suspects, but of those caught red-handed, such as the weasel at the Port Huron museum. And why not add names of those positively identified to have stolen items in their posession?

I realize the liability implications of what I propose, and know that most museums cannot bear this kind of additional burden. Any thoughts?

tr2manz@frontiernet.net

The casino industry keeps a "little book". They have photos of card cheats, dice shavers, chip palmers, etc. When someone in that book shows up at a casino (sometimes in disguise), they are prompty met by management and politely but firmly shown the door. It's private property and they choose not to allow these "guests" to stay.

tstuy@eldcps.org

Isn't attempted burglary a crime? If so, why not press charges? You didn't say whether or not he is a member of your museum. If he is, that could be difficult to prosecute, but if he is not, it would seem to be a clear case.

We all of a hard enough time as it is. When someone like this commits the despicable act of trying to steal from an organization that has (or is) preserved something, they are obligated to meet the law & suffer whatever consequences are due them.

Who just happens to find this guy out in the parking lot. . . .
I know, just wishfull thinking, but I am glad I didn't witness some vandalizm I found, or I'd be behind bars for certain. Somehow we need to get the legal system to recognize a "zero tolerance" for this kind of activity.
Sign me
Frustrated!

djdewey@cncnet.com

Just as hate crimes carry more serious penalties than "normal" crimes; how about some laws that make theft of historic or museum property more serious than standard theft, also for sale or possesion of stolen historic items. Are there any such laws (other than those on indian burial grounds and such)? Would anyone go for it? Another thought is to have a carefully assigned value for each item, in most states if the value is over $500. it becomes a felony. The bottom line is to get the word out to those who would take, sell, or buy stolen items that they will get more than a slap on the wrist.

Great comments everyone, but some additional food for thought:

1.) As far as attempted theft goes, it is a crime, but it is also darn hard to prove in court, and since we didn't have a "not touch" sign on the tank, his argument that he was just getting a closer look would probably hold up. If we accuse him and lose, that in turn opens us up for a lawsuit. If we had let him actually walk out the door with it, than grabbed him right outside, we would have had a better chance, but thats pretty risky IMHO.

2.) I like the idea of a specially assigned price; that's seem do-able, and putting a "felony" ring to it makes it a lot less enticing. Then again, if you can get more than the "value" of the item in the first place, I don't know how good that would be.

3.) I am beginning to wonder if there is a small, nasty group of individuals who specifically target certain items to "acquire" for their collections. The kind that would be smart enough not to do it themselves, have the knowledge needed to know what items are the rarest/ most valuable, and pay part of their fee up-front to have someone secure the item. It has been a problem in the art field for many years. Could the values we have put on these items risen them to the status of Van Goghs and Degas?

Feelings?

TJ

> Just as hate crimes carry more serious
> penalties than "normal" crimes;
> how about some laws that make theft of
> historic or museum property more serious
> than standard theft, also for sale or
> possesion of stolen historic items. Are
> there any such laws (other than those on
> indian burial grounds and such)? Would
> anyone go for it? Another thought is to have
> a carefully assigned value for each item, in
> most states if the value is over $500. it
> becomes a felony. The bottom line is to get
> the word out to those who would take, sell,
> or buy stolen items that they will get more
> than a slap on the wrist.


Port Huron Museum
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

Weird Idea?

Not at all. in the United Kingdom and I think much of Europe just what you suggest is the case. They do no allow people (sub-humans) to steal artifacts from museums

Perhaps a group like the National Trust for historic Preservation might do such a champaign
for changing the Laws, But I don't see it happening any time soon.

ted_miles@nps.gov