"The reader might ask, what could possibly take place within the Smithsonian Institution that would require a substantial security police force and a small investigative unit? Keep in mind an old saying of mine, “anytime you have two or more people gathered together, the opportunity for something untoward happening is very real.” Thousands upon thousands of visitors provide fertile territory for professional pickpockets and con artists who try to relieve unsuspecting tourists of their valuables. Assaults and robberies, although not daily events, do happen. In addition, there are the run of the mill incidents such as thefts from within the Institution including computers, computer parts, office thefts, even power tools stolen. How about $200.00 from an employee’s purse, which was stored in an unsecured locker (chances are a visitor did not pull this one)? An employee’s checkbook, change purse, credit cards, and wallet, disappear from her desk drawer? There are times when the personal property of visitors, such as a purse with cash, is found, turned in to Security with the money, only to be found sans the cash when claimed by the owner. Just remember as you read, IT ALL HAPPENED AT THE SMITHSONIAN. Eleven years with the Institution resulted in my exposure to a number of interesting incidents, some comical, some tragic. I am confident that the tourist, the visitor, does not entirely realize that when someone enters a museum, there is a whole life of activity that is not on exhibit. "