Paris heightens museum vigilance after big heist

Paris: Paris officials are urging museum guards to be more vigilant but are not increasing security after a USD 123 million art heist at a museum with a broken alarm. Christophe Girard, who is deputy mayor for culture, says "we will continue to survey our museums, mobilize our personnel" after the theft at the Paris Museum of Modern Art.

Speaking Friday on France-Info radio, he said, "We are not going to close off the works" or add extra security staff. He said security workers are "traumatized enough to feel obliged more than ever to monitor even better." A masked intruder stole five paintings including a Picasso from the museum Thursday. Paris City Hall said the museum`s alarm system had been partially broken since March 30. Bureau Report