http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...E89065F97A5E8D08862571F5005EDFB4?OpenDocument
The victim was unharmed. What precautions could he have taken?
Jeff
The victim was unharmed. What precautions could he have taken?
Jeff
Motel Safety
- Thread starter Jeff White
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Also, it is smart to get rid of the top bead spread or blanket before jumping on the bed. It is seldomly changed and you cannot know how many people before you have been doing nasty things on it. Only the sheets in between are changed on a regular basis. A small bottle of bleach or some other disinfectant is also useful to "disinfect" the shower floor. Either that or use flipflops to avoid athlete's foot. Oh, and depending on who you are with, you might want to make sure you have protection handy. No, not your CCW, the other kind.
Seriously though, motels can be a hazardous environment. Too many strangers in close proximity. If some one comes a knocking at odd hours, don't open the door. If the staff wishes to contact you they will most likely use the phone first.
Seriously though, motels can be a hazardous environment. Too many strangers in close proximity. If some one comes a knocking at odd hours, don't open the door. If the staff wishes to contact you they will most likely use the phone first.
Ben Shepherd
Member
Simple: If you ARE NOT expecting someone DO NOT open the door, period!!
If they say they are hotel staff, call the front desk to confirm BEFORE opening said door.
If they say they are hotel staff, call the front desk to confirm BEFORE opening said door.
Zundfolge
Member
Don't open the door. EVER.
Unless the person on the other side has a badge and a warrant they don't get in ... and I don't believe the Red Roof Inn has Room Service.
And WAY too many sheep in condition white ... wolves can smell sheep in condition white from MILES away.
Cowboybootnut
Member
If possible, chose a hotel that has inside entrances only to your room, and park as close to the main entrance as possible. Most hotels are "gravy trains" for the criminal element since they usually are full of out of town visitors (with cash and credit cards) who are not familiar with the territory.
mpmarty
Member
I only stay in motels where I can see the front door to my room from the window. I have either a .45 or a 10MM condition one on my person or on the bed under my pillow at all times. When and if someone knocks on the door I peek through a gap in the drapes at the window as far from the door as I can get, with the pistol in my strong hand hanging at my side. What happens next is up to the visitor. When outside the room moving from car to room etc. I usually have my wife with me and one of us provides cover while the other hauls bags into the room. Neither of us goes about unarmed, ever.
1. Open the door only to folks you recognize or confirm by calling hotel staff.
2. Use all locks available on the door.
3. Prop chair under knob & place a piece of luggage on it before turning in for the night. Not in the expectation that the chair will stop a door-kicker, but to let the intruder stumble over my duffle & give me more time to react.
4. Pack heat at all times unitl bed time, when the heat goes in the quick-open safe next to the Surefire.
5. Make sure wife knows the drill in case of an incident: she picks up kids & heads to the bathroom with the spare firearm & cell phone while I cover & calls from there.
2. Use all locks available on the door.
3. Prop chair under knob & place a piece of luggage on it before turning in for the night. Not in the expectation that the chair will stop a door-kicker, but to let the intruder stumble over my duffle & give me more time to react.
4. Pack heat at all times unitl bed time, when the heat goes in the quick-open safe next to the Surefire.
5. Make sure wife knows the drill in case of an incident: she picks up kids & heads to the bathroom with the spare firearm & cell phone while I cover & calls from there.
carpettbaggerr
Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2003
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- 1,676
And avoid drugs and hookers. This story sounds kinda fishy to me. 36 year old female and 21 year old man? And he's kidnapped and forced to drive instead of just tying them up and stealing the car? Very strange.
I know of a few co-workers who've been rolled by hookers. One guy had wallet cellphone, and company vehicle stolen. Very embarassing reporting that to the boss.....
I know of a few co-workers who've been rolled by hookers. One guy had wallet cellphone, and company vehicle stolen. Very embarassing reporting that to the boss.....
No real bad advice there, but in many hotels I have been in, the bathroom is right next to the door. That makes #5 a problem.
A chair kicker will at least be slowed by a chair propped up against a door knob, but a lot of motels/hotels have door latches that do not lend themselves to such a solution. A wedge under the door will do a better job in those cases. A wedge with a loud alarm is even better.
Most hotels/motels have very secure doors, at least the ones a step or two above flea bag places. You are probably safer in most hotel rooms than in your own home, as long as you don't violate #1.
Another poster suggested only staying in hotels with inside hallway entrances. I am not sure that gains you that much, and it might work against you in a fire situation, which might be more likely than a criminal attack.
I stayed at a Red Roof Inn in Canton, OH a few weeks ago. Had not stayed in one before. Probably won't do it again. It is not much cheaper than something a lot better.
Axman
Member
Having worked in hotel maintenance in the past, I can assure you that if a perp is going to try kicking in the door he's gonna get a real bad foot pain. Most doors are high quality, solid, one piece oak or oak with steel casing. The majority of door frames are steel also. They'd stand a better chance of getting in by breaking the window with a rock. I used to be the guy who ordered the general building materials at a hotel. Them doors ain't cheap! Unless you are talking about staying at the "Love Nest-Roach Motel" off Hwy 69 at Vermin Rd. (Ask about their hourly rates!).
offthepaper
Member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 1,446
Carpetbagerr:
"And avoid drugs and hookers. This story sounds kinda fishy to me. 36 year old female and 21 year old man? And he's kidnapped and forced to drive instead of just tying them up and stealing the car? Very strange. "
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I was thinking the same thing. Very odd story. Why would you add kidnapping to a robbery charge?
"And avoid drugs and hookers. This story sounds kinda fishy to me. 36 year old female and 21 year old man? And he's kidnapped and forced to drive instead of just tying them up and stealing the car? Very strange. "
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I was thinking the same thing. Very odd story. Why would you add kidnapping to a robbery charge?
psychophipps
Member
Good stuff, guys. Thanks for sharing. I'll be sure to keep this information in mind the next time I hit up a hotel/motel.
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )
Waitone
Member
Reality check here
--Calling the desk may not help if there is only one person on duty. The one knocking on the door may be the one who is supposed to be on the desk.
--Use the peep hole.
--Use the door lock and latch.
--Inside access to rooms is indeed a safety factor.
--Hotels this day and time are fire alarmed out the ying-yang.
--Most fire alarms alter the fire dept directly. Hotel staff has nothing to do with calling FD. FD may call to verify but not necessarily.
--Doors are heavy because they are fire rated.
--A hotel room is a place to sleep. It is not a bunker; don't expect it to be.
--Cell phones may or may not work in a bathroom.
--When you check into your room ALWAYS flush the toilet first thing.
--Calling the desk may not help if there is only one person on duty. The one knocking on the door may be the one who is supposed to be on the desk.
--Use the peep hole.
--Use the door lock and latch.
--Inside access to rooms is indeed a safety factor.
--Hotels this day and time are fire alarmed out the ying-yang.
--Most fire alarms alter the fire dept directly. Hotel staff has nothing to do with calling FD. FD may call to verify but not necessarily.
--Doors are heavy because they are fire rated.
--A hotel room is a place to sleep. It is not a bunker; don't expect it to be.
--Cell phones may or may not work in a bathroom.
--When you check into your room ALWAYS flush the toilet first thing.
saltydog452
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,707
My .02 worth....
We are more vulnerable making our way from the parking lot to the room than we are after entering the room.
We are more vulnerable at night. Security cameras, even if they exist, don't see too well in the dark.
salty.
We are more vulnerable making our way from the parking lot to the room than we are after entering the room.
We are more vulnerable at night. Security cameras, even if they exist, don't see too well in the dark.
salty.
Waitone
Member
If you have toilet troubles would you not prefer to know it BEFORE you get settled?
Once upon a time in a past life I checked into a hotel for a two week stay. I unpacked and made myself comfy. I then used the toilet whereup I found water coming out all over the place (pressurized system, not a tank). Flooded the bathroom and part of the room itself. Since my building was fully occupied I had to move to another building. Lotsa fun repacking while standing in water.
A word to the sufficient is wise.
Once upon a time in a past life I checked into a hotel for a two week stay. I unpacked and made myself comfy. I then used the toilet whereup I found water coming out all over the place (pressurized system, not a tank). Flooded the bathroom and part of the room itself. Since my building was fully occupied I had to move to another building. Lotsa fun repacking while standing in water.
A word to the sufficient is wise.
dragongoddess
member
or travel with a big dog. a rottie, a dogo, a mastiff
22-rimfire
Member
I just lock my door and put the stop or chain on before settling down for the night. Yes, I usually have some sort of firearm with me too. I have never had any trouble and I have stayed in many many motels over the years.
I am more concerned about getting into a touchy situation with a loud, drunk, or drugged "neighbor" at a motel. Also concerned about cleanliness and yes, the bed spreads don't get washed that often just like in most homes.
I am more concerned about getting into a touchy situation with a loud, drunk, or drugged "neighbor" at a motel. Also concerned about cleanliness and yes, the bed spreads don't get washed that often just like in most homes.
Harold Mayo
Member
Don't stay at the Red Roof Inn in Sauget, for starters. Or get a motel in Sauget at all. Those talking about drugs and hookers are probably pretty close to the mark, considering the area.
Not that I would know anything ABOUT that particular area, that is....
Not that I would know anything ABOUT that particular area, that is....
Harold Mayo
Member
Oops...my bad. Didn't read the article.
The reasoning still applies to the area, though.
Betcha the guy just didn't report the cash that he had already given to the woman and the woman claimed that she had no association with the robbers. Betcha this has happened before and not been reported AT ALL.
The reasoning still applies to the area, though.
Betcha the guy just didn't report the cash that he had already given to the woman and the woman claimed that she had no association with the robbers. Betcha this has happened before and not been reported AT ALL.
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