Anti-theft hanging systems?

[KL Smith]

I hate this stuff, but I guess it's bound to happen.

A friend of mine has a gallery in which he sells his work. The other day while two people distracted the lone employee in the back part of the gallery, a third walked into the front door, grabbed a big framed piece off the wall and walked off with it. She didn't know it was gone until they were all gone.

I'm sure a chime on the front door may have at least alerted her that someone else had entered. I have heard of this technique has being used last tourist season in other stores too.

As I am also opening a gallery next week in the same area, I'm thinking about how I can avoid this sort of thing. Theft is pure loss and emotionally hard to deal with.

Does anyone know of a simple yet effective method of "locking" art to a wall. Or of any other safeguards?

Thanks,

 

[wpfay]

Look in UMS (others as well) catalog for security hanging systems

 

[Greg Fremstad]

You can buy (or make) phoney theft detectors that stand on either side of the entry door. Add a phoney wire that goes to a phoney outlet cover on the wall.

I'm not an expert in shop lifting deterrents but this seems to make sense to me. A lot less trouble than using security hanger systems on every piece of art.

 

[Dave]

Good suggestion, Greg. As long as we're on the subject I'd like to bring up that security mirrors are NOT such a good idea. Shoplifters like them because they too get good use out of them and can keep an eye on store personnel just as easily as they can be observed.

Dave Makielski

 

[Bob Roy]

As I am also opening a gallery next week in the same area, I'm thinking about how I can avoid this sort of thing. Theft is pure loss and emotionally hard to deal with.
Thanks,

Good luck with your gallery. The security hangers will certainly slow them down. Maybe a video surveillance system wouldn't be a bad addition. Check out http://www.costco.ca, they have a good selection of systems starting under $1k

 

[MnSue]

"Fake" security tile bubbles was what JoAnn's used for a long time....

REAL security stickers also help.

 

[KL Smith]

Look in UMS (others as well) catalog for security hanging systems

Thanks to all for the replies.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with UMS. Can you direct me to a web site, or???

 

[Val]

Pssst.....Ken....United is one of the Grumble's sponsors. Go to the top of the home page and click on the United banner where it says "click here". That'll get ya there. (Or click here on the blue United)

 

[Rick Bergeron - CPF]

We have 2 fake cameras mounted in the store with motion sensors so that anything moving triggers the flashing red light and causes the camera to pan back and forth.

Also, "Security System" alarm stickers on every exterior door and I'm thinking about putting a 'fake' alarm keypad with leds just inside the front door and visible through the windows.