How to ensure personal safety at a coin show?

[RWB]

An interesting question occurs periodically on coin message boards. It is usually aimed at the permissibility to carry a concealed firearm at the show. But the fundamental concern is really about protecting personal property inside the show venue.

 

Virtually every coin show has some sort of security including armed private employees and/or off-duty local police. Shows also have admittance procedures to discourage potential thieves. There is also the presumption of “quiet enjoyment and inviolability” for all in attendance.

 

Given these conditions, what kinds of personal protection might be most effective in dissuading a thief or in quickly bringing attention to an alleged perpetrator?

 

Some obvious and not so obvious ideas:

A handgun, openly displayed, or concealed on the person;

An air horn, openly displayed;

An automatic camera, openly displayed, capturing images of everyone within arm’s reach of a table;

A 7-inch custard pie, openly displayed.

 

Some might dissuade theft, others might identify thieves. Some might be completely useless inside a coin show. There are many other possibilities; these are merely discussion starters.

[bsshog40]

Don't forget a personal taser or pepper spray. Both can also be holstered openly. 

[RWB]

Yep. Lots of things that might be done. The core question is "What creates an improvement?"

[PocketArt]

Perhaps having photo's of perpetrators posted at shows who have been caught?  Maybe a few showing perp being escorted out, wrestled to ground, caught trying to get away, etc.  It wouldn't prevent theft; but, it might rattle the nerves enough of some for easier detection.    

[bsshog40]

I think surveilance creates an improvement to safety in any environment. When there are cameras, and people are made aware that cameras are active, this can usually be a great deterant to thieves. This is why most dealers get robbed outside the venue. Thieves are usually only inside to see who is worth robbing.