Galleries with restricted security budgets have a lot to learn from the Home Alone films. Noah Charney explains.
This Christmas, like every Christmas, millions of televisions will broadcast the exploits of young Kevin McCallister, whom his family forgot in their rush to the airport, to spend the holidays in Paris. “Home Alone” is a Yuletide staple, and I make a point of tuning in every year. But while most will watch “Home Alone” for its heartwarming moments, slapstick comedy and family-as-the-greatest-holiday-gift message, I see in it something else entirely—a master class in low-budget museum security.
I promise, this will all make sense in a moment.
On Dec. 22, 2000, two cars burst into flames in Stockholm, Sweden. Fearing a terrorist attack, police swarmed toward them, just as three armed burglars, one carrying a submachine gun, entered the National Museum of Sweden. Shouting at museum-goers and guards to get on the floor, the bandits grabbed three paintings, including a Rembrandt, and escaped from the museum in a getaway speedboat that was waiting in the bay behind the museum. When police cars sped to the scene, their tires were damaged by nails and tire spikes scattered in the street in front of the museum, to prevent pursuit... Keep reading on Salon
This Christmas, like every Christmas, millions of televisions will broadcast the exploits of young Kevin McCallister, whom his family forgot in their rush to the airport, to spend the holidays in Paris. “Home Alone” is a Yuletide staple, and I make a point of tuning in every year. But while most will watch “Home Alone” for its heartwarming moments, slapstick comedy and family-as-the-greatest-holiday-gift message, I see in it something else entirely—a master class in low-budget museum security.
I promise, this will all make sense in a moment.
On Dec. 22, 2000, two cars burst into flames in Stockholm, Sweden. Fearing a terrorist attack, police swarmed toward them, just as three armed burglars, one carrying a submachine gun, entered the National Museum of Sweden. Shouting at museum-goers and guards to get on the floor, the bandits grabbed three paintings, including a Rembrandt, and escaped from the museum in a getaway speedboat that was waiting in the bay behind the museum. When police cars sped to the scene, their tires were damaged by nails and tire spikes scattered in the street in front of the museum, to prevent pursuit... Keep reading on Salon