NCJ Number
85315
Date Published
1982
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Hotel and motel security should be attentive to crime prevention, perimeter security, internal security, guest security, and security staff.
Abstract
The major objective of hotel security should be crime prevention not apprehension. Crime prevention includes the proper planning and design of facilities in accordance with research findings pertaining to environmental design that contributes to crime prevention. Another important step is to perform a security survey, preferably by a security consultant, which will alert management to the current status of physical, perimeter, internal, and guest security measures and then make recommendations about establishing or improving the security program. Perimeter security involves the area surrounding the hotel, entrance, and exit areas and the physical aspects inside the hotel. Perimeter security should aim at preventing trespassers from entering at points other than the front door and should also focus on protecting parking areas for guests and security procedures for deliveries. Internal security deals with the housekeeping, food, and beverage areas. It requires attention to the hiring of reliable employees, controlling the use of keys, and discouraging employee and guest theft. Guest security includes the areas already mentioned but also involves fire safety, provision for securing guests' valuables in the hotel safe, and installing secure doors and locks. A security staff should include a chief of security, watchmen, and guards. Guards are assigned to specific locations, while watchmen perform patrol operations.