Watchmen Investigatons Blog

When was the last time you thought about what floor you should stay on when you made your last hotel reservation? If you’re like most people, the thought has probably never crossed your mind. For the most part, many first class international hotels have spent a considerable amount of cash to ensure your safety and security. Fire safety equipment, CCTVs, and security patrols are often part of the hotel’s security plan.

Regardless of the hotel's security posture, you should never take it for granted and do nothing to ensure your own safety.  All the high-tech equipment in world is worthless if the people working it aren't paying attention or are just poorly trained or motivated.  Since you can’t control any of these elements, you have to step up and take measures to ensure your own safety and security.  You need to become familiar with certain aspects of the security profile of the hotel.  Hotels present special security challenges since they are restrictive and unfamiliar.

Hotel Selection

• Choose a hotel for safety. Obtain a recommendation from the US Embassy or your company security officer.
• Consider the surrounding neighborhood, proximity to police, and reputation for good administration.

Room Selection

• Choose a room between the 3rd and 7th floors; high enough to discourage outside break-ins but within reach of fire ladder equipment in emergency.
• Request a different room upon check-in; this may protect you from someone who managed to get your room number from a reservation. Change rooms every few days to be more unpredictable if you suspect you are at risk.
• Choose a room that opens to the hotel interior; threat activities are deterred by the observation of hotel staff.  Exterior entrances may be less protected.  Also, many times vehicle born explosive devices are placed in locations within the closest proximity to the hotel (streets, access roads).

Activities In The Hotel

• Minimize your public exposure and recognizability. Blend in. Do not accept unexpected deliveries and visitors. Call the hotel desk to confirm identities of hotel employees
• Don’t act like an American (if you don’t know what this means, you have nothing to worry about)
• Vary your routines and patterns in the hotel. Conceal your room location by entering when the hallway is empty. Get off the elevator on the wrong floor; change elevators or take the stairs.
• Pre-plan emergency actions; write down emergency numbers.
• Don’t disclose your room number or nationality to anyone.
• Maintain control of your room key.
• Make your room look occupied when you are out. Keep the TV and lights on; put the “do not disturb” sign on door.
• Lock valuables in the hotel safe; don’t carry important documents.
• Inspect your room upon re-entry for tampering or intruders.
• Be sensitive to surveillance; be alert for strangers with undue interest in your purpose and activities. Report suspicious activities to security authorities.