As we move into the peak of summer travel season, CrimeTracker 10's Angela An checked to see if hotel guests are as safe as they should be.
We randomly chose three hotels located downtown, on the north side and near Port Columbus International Airport. A 10TV News producer checked in the hotels alone.
We asked John Clark, the president and chief executive officer of The Whitestone Group, an Easton-based security firm, to participate in our investigation. His mission was to see if he could get a key to our producer's hotel room based only on what he hears.
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At all three hotels, the clerks asked our producer for her last name. But at the downtown hotel, the clerk also asked for our producer's first name and told her which floor she would be staying on.
With just three pieces of information; her first name, last name and floor number, Clark took the elevator to her floor and learned her exact room number by watching our producer walk in the room, An reported.
"(I) came back down (to the lobby and) asked for a key to the room," Clark said. "They asked the name (and I) gave it to them. They gave me a key and (I) walked back up the elevator, walked up and surprised her."
Clark said that he was surprised that the hotel clerk never asked for identification.
Hotel management told 10TV News that, per policy, clerks are to ask for proper identification before issuing new room keys.
At the north side hotel, our security expert asked for a key to our producer's room.
This time, the clerk called the producer's hotel room to confirm that he was allowed to have a key. Our producer answered the phone and gave verbal permission. Later that night, a 10TV News photographer tried to get a key by stating that he had a problem with his key. Another call was placed to our producer's room but she was not there.
The clerk at the north side hotel then refused to give our photographer a new room key after he failed to show any identification, An reported.
We tried the same method at the hotel by the airport. After there was no answer on the phone, the clerk copied our photographer's driver's license and, even though he was not registered to the room, our photographer eventually was given a key card.
Clark said that hotels need to stay vigilant with protecting guests.
"I think hotels need to ask more questions," Clark said. "I know they get very busy at those counters, but it's very important to ask to see IDs."
There are other times when you could be at risk besides at check-in time.
Be sure to pay attention to who is on the hotel elevator with you. Make sure that no one is following you to your room.
The next time you check in, hand the hotel clerk an ID so that your name won't be said aloud. Clark said that you can even ask the clerk not to say the floor or room number.
"When (the clerks) decide which room, they should hand you a card back that has your card on it and hand you a map that says, 'Right here,'" Clark said.
If someone is standing too close to you in the lobby, Clark suggested to have the clerk ask the person to step back.
CrimeTracker 10 received a written response from two of the three hotels we visited. One is still investigating to ensure policy is being followed on an ongoing basis. The other hotel is conducting additional employee training.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for additional information.
More Information:
- Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association: Stay Safe At Hotels
