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March 18, 2009 Sign up Forward Archive The latest news in hospitality risk management from Valor Security Services   Hospitality Risk Management  Sweeping hotel-security changes are in the works The terrorist attacks at several hotels in Mumbai, India, along with attacks at other international luxury hotels, are expected to prompt changes in security at hotels as sweeping as those that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks brought to aviation, according to this article. Changes anticipated include the end of underground parking, the scanning of luggage upon arrival, metal detectors at entrances and an end to luggage storage. MSNBC/Conde Nast Traveler (3/9) Terrorist attack underscores hotels' need for stepped-up security: The most recent terrorist attack on a hotel, in which two bombs were dropped from the rooftop of a Cairo hotel onto an open-air cafe, highlights hotels' need to do everything they can to keep public areas safe. Several articles shed light on the topic and offer tips that all hoteliers can use in security issues ranging from terrorism to preventing theft and crime. HotelNewsNow.com (2/24) New U.S. embassies put security first and strike fear elsewhere The new U.S. mission to the U.N. -- a building secured by 30-inch-thick concrete walls and no windows through the eighth floor -- represents a new generation of U.S. embassies that emphasize security and protection through architecture. The more than 60 embassies that have been built since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, represent lingering concerns about the threat of terrorism and crystallize the fears many in the world have about the U.S. The Washington Post (3/13)   Innovation & Developments  Twitter gets trial run as police alert tool The Boston Police Department is experimenting with the microblog Twitter as a means for interacting with the public during events or crowd-related problems. However, the department warned that "tweets," as the posts are called, should not be considered a substitute for a 911 call in an emergency situation. The Boston Globe (free registration) (3/12) Blended video a less costly alternative to large surveillance With budget constraints delaying or even canceling plans for large surveillance projects, blended video is emerging as a less expensive alternative, according to this article. Security Products online (3/2)   Business Operations & Strategy  As hotel lending dries up, only strongest developers get financing Hotel financing is getting tighter than ever, causing construction on major projects in places such as Chicago to grind to a halt. For the few who are lending, the focus is on who the developer is, and the sponsor will need to have had a strong relationship with the lender, an excellent credit score and a solid track record to secure funding. Commercial Property Executive (3/3) Obama aims to free up credit for small business President Barack Obama has committed up to $15 billion to buy small-business loans. The administration expects the move to free lenders to give loans to small businesses, which have created roughly 70% of new jobs in the past 10 years. NYTimes.com (3/16), Google/The Associated Press (3/17) Critics say administration credit fix offers little help: Small-business owners responding to President Barack Obama's plan to loosen credit say it will help those companies which apply to the Small Business Administration for loans or can otherwise qualify for credit from banks. However, they argue most small firms never seek SBA loans and they would be better helped with lower taxes, support for creating jobs and propping up private-equity investment. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (3/17), Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)/McClatchy Newspapers (3/16)   Travel Watch  U.S.'s "terrorist watch list" holds 1 million entries There are now 1 million entries on the federal government's terrorist watch list, according to USA TODAY, up nearly one-third since 2007. The growth comes even as officials work to delete names that should not be on the list. Last year, 33,000 entries were removed, often in response to "redress" requests from frustrated airline passengers. USA TODAY (3/10) Other News State Department updates Travel Warning for Madagascar TravelPulse (3/17)   Legislative & Policy Monitor  Fliers to face more random screening at the gate TSA personnel have begun a stepped-up program of random screening at airport gates, after passengers have already cleared metal detectors and X-ray machines. "It serves as a random, unpredictable layer" of security, says a TSA spokesman, adding that the checks are not tied to any specific threat. Though some passengers are grumbling about the added inconvenience, "Security is our No. 1 priority," the TSA says. USA TODAY (3/18)   SmartQuote  Be a friend to thyself, and others will be so, too." --Thomas Fuller, English clergyman and historian     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy   Contact Valor Security Mert Price Vice President of Business Development mertprice@valorsecurity.com 770-218-6000 Ext. 150   About Valor Security Services Valor Security Services provides security management services and risk management expertise nationally to over 260 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.     Recent Valor Security's Hospitality SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Thursday, January 22, 2009 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Wednesday, October 15, 2008     Lead Editor:  Angela Giroux-Scheide       Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information