Successive Copper Thefts at Churches

Successive thefts of copper objects from church buildings in Manchester, New Hampshire and Vieux Longeuil, Canada (located near Montreal) should prompt authorities to examine whether the crimes are related. Meanwhile, churches should take measures to guard against copper thieves.

Copper prices have increased in recent years, prompting criminals to steal the metal. WMUR reported that thieves hit St. Anne's church in Manchester on June 2, stealing a cross on the roof. Meanwhile, CJAD radio described how St. Anthony Padua co-cathedral in Longeuil suffered the loss of a copper statue. St. Anthony's was also the target of copper thieves in May when another statue and parts of the roof were stolen during two separate incidents. The two churches are located about 275 miles apart.

Sources:
http://www.wmur.com/news/28120869/detail.html#COMMENTTOP

http://www.cjad.com/CJADLocalNewsEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10243552

Protecting Against Internal Theft II

Last blog entry I wrote about the issue of internal theft at museums and cultural institutions. Because protecting against this risk is so important--next to protection against fire--the point should be raised again.

Today the El Paso Times reported that a former senior secretary of the El Paso Museum of Art was convicted and sentenced to incarceration for her role in stealing over $100,000 from the museum foundation. The lesson once again is that policies and procedures should be installed at cultural institutions to guard against such mishaps, which can be avoided through simple planning.