Hotels Defying Do Not Disturb Signs

Hotels Defying Do Not Disturb Signs

Even if guests put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign on their door, security will enter the room to perform the search.

  • By Jordan Lutke
  • Aug 23, 2018

Caesars Entertainment, one of the world’s largest casino companies, is ruffling customers’ feathers with newly minted security procedures in the wake of the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Caesars began the rollout of these new policies in February 2018, mandating a visual search of a room by security personnel if hotel staff have not had access to the room in over 24 hours.  Even if guests put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign on their door, security will enter the room to perform the search.

Other new security policies include hotel staff being given small panic buttons to use if they feel threatened, and the use of security to enter rooms instead of housekeepers being alone to do so.

Caesars Entertainment will join other hotel giants including Disney and Hilton in enacting new security policies following the Oct. 1, 2017 massacre at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, where a guest in a corner suite rained gunfire on a music festival, killing 58 people and wounding hundreds more.

The guest in question had a “Do Not Disturb” sign on their door for three consecutive days prior to the attack, and during this time stockpiled over 20 guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

The fallout of these new security policies was sudden and pronounced earlier this month at DEFCON, a hacking convention held annually in Las Vegas. Dozens of attendees staying at Caesar’s Palace reported and often even recorded unannounced security incursions into their rooms, despite “Do Not Disturb” signs. Items that, according to the hotel, resembled weapons were confiscated, such as lighters and soldering irons.

There is no industry standard for how long hotels wait before attempting to contact guests.

About the Author

Jordan Lutke is an intern with 1105 Media.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.