| The latest news in hospitality risk management from Valor Security Services |  |
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| Hospitality Risk Management |  | |
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- Hotels strive for safety, but issues remain
U.S. hotels welcome more than a billion travelers annually, and some visitors become victims of crime despite the efforts of the hotels and their staffs. Some hotel security veterans say that crime rates at hotels will rise with the country in recession. Hotel industry executives, however, say that security was improved after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. USA TODAY
(5/17)
    
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Safety equipment varies with price, location: Differentiating between legitimate guests and potential threats in public areas of hotels is a challenge for hospital security staff. Data from the American Hotel & Lodging Association's 2008 Lodging Survey indicate safety and security equipment is significantly different in various hotels based on price segments and location. HotelNewsNow.com
(5/19)
- Craigslist slaying raises awareness of hotel security
The slaying last month of a masseuse who advertised her services on Craigslist and arranged a meeting in a Boston luxury hotel has put a spotlight on hotel security issues. Hotels have long served as convenient venues for such activities and the Internet has only made them easier to arrange, yet hotels have little authority to oversee who guests invite into their rooms. The Denver Post
(4/22)
| Innovation & Developments | | |
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- How to tailor a corporate security plan
Corporate campus security must take into account corporate culture as well as logistical factors such as campus size, demographics, facility type and other local businesses. At Microsoft, for example, the company relies more on surveillance and security technology than guard support. SecurityInfoWatch.com
(4/22)
- Hyatt launches Twitter-based concierge service
 Hyatt Hotels is heading to Twitter with the unveiling of HyattConcierge, a dedicated concierge service allowing guests to ask questions before, during and after their hotel stays. In a USA TODAY blog post, Hyatt Hotels CEO Mark Hoplamazian says the service will be guest-centered and he expects guests to use the channel for everything from dinner reservations to special requests. USA TODAY/Hotel Check-In blog
(5/18)
| Business Operations & Strategy | | |
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- Economic woes give rise to fear of violent incidents in the workplace
As the recession increases financial pressures and job insecurity for many, incidents of workplace violence are showing up in the headlines. Fear of violent acts in the workplace is only exacerbated by the fact the perpetrators in some recent workplace shootings appeared normal before the incidents. Reuters
(4/22)
- Hotels in Cancun go to extremes to attract visitors after flu
Cancun has long been one of the most popular destinations in the world, but the recent flu scare has kept visitors away from the coastal resort. Local hotels are offering guarantees and other enticements as travelers continue to cancel bookings. "I've been in this business 26 years and I have never seen anything like it," said Fernando García, owner of four hotels in Cancun. Financial Times (free content)
(5/15)
| Travel Watch | | |
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- CDC updates travel advisory for Mexico
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has downgraded its advisory for traveling to Mexico to a Travel Health Precaution. The CDC's updated information says "there is evidence that the Mexican outbreak [of the H1N1 virus infection] is slowing down in many cities, though not all. In addition, the United States and other countries are now seeing increasing numbers of cases not associated with travel to Mexico. Finally, the risk of severe disease from novel H1N1 virus infection now appears to be less than originally thought." The State Department also removed its travel alert. USA TODAY
(5/15)
, TravelPulse
(5/18)
- Column: This summer is time to travel
Columnist Scott McCartney says that for travelers who have the means, this summer offers a great opportunity to get away. After years of travel-related frustrations, the outlook this summer is smooth sailing, and "staycations" are looking to be a thing of the past. "The weak economy has led to significant price cuts at hotels, airlines, resorts and cruises," McCartney writes. The Wall Street Journal
(5/19)
| Legislative & Policy Monitor | | |
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- TSA now requires full passenger names
The first public phase of the TSA's Secure Flight program began May 15 at U.S. airports, with passengers required to provide their full name when making airline reservations exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID. After taking over terrorist watch list duties from the airlines, TSA says the change was designed for "enhancing and streamlining the watch list matching process." WPTV-TV (West Palm Beach. Fla.)
(5/15)
| News from Valor | | |
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Valor officers aid police in drug bust
Utilizing CCTV, Valor officers observed the exchange of plastic baggies between several vehicles in a customer parking log. Following procedure, they contacted police, who, after seeing the video, determined the activity was very suspicious. Police officers including a drug sniffing K-9 made contact with the "seller." A search of the vehicle found large amounts of marijuana leading to an arrest.
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Valor conducts Suburban Emergency Response Team (SERT) drill
Recently, Valor officers conducted a SERT drill based upon a shopping mall active shooter scenario. Working in conjunction with SERT police, the Valor officers utilized CCTV and perimeter checkpoints to surrounded the shooter and disable him. Once the shooter was disabled, Valor officers along with other SERT members set up a triage area and assisted in treating simulated wounded.
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Valor officers arrest would-be thief
Valor officers recently foiled a purse snatching at one of our retail properties. After following the victim to her vehicle and waiting until she was about to get in, the thief ran up and grabbed her purse. The victim did not let go and hit the suspect in the head. The thief let go of the purse long enough for the victim to get into her vehicle and lock it. She reported the incident to police and security and provided a description of the suspect. Valor's dispatcher/CCTV operator located the incident on tape and observed the suspect go into the mall after the failed robbery attempt. Using CCTV patrol techniques, the Valor dispatcher located the suspect in the mall and coordinated the movements our officers. The end result was a positive identification of the suspect and arrest by local police.
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| About Valor Security Services |
Valor Security Services provides security management services and risk management expertise nationally to over 170 retail, hospitality, and mixed use properties
owned or operated by a variety of successful developers, owners, and management companies. Valor is exclusive to the hospitality, retail, and mixed use markets.
As a result, our training, operations, and efforts are focused on, and based on the requirements of, these markets.
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| | Recent Valor Security's Hospitality SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, April 15, 2009
- Wednesday, March 18, 2009
- Wednesday, February 18, 2009
- Thursday, January 22, 2009
- Wednesday, December 17, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
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