15 years
Are you sure this guest is honest?
I don't think so
He never has a laptop or stuff like that and try to make you problem
He will ask you to give money
Hostel Security
Front Desk Operations
(Please feel free to move this post to another section if you feel it is more appropriate there.)
I am thinking about opening up a hostel in Philadelphia, but I am just a little concerned about running an all-hours business in a city that has had and does still have some crime issues.
It's not that the city is unsafe or anything. I love living here. It's just that the streets feel less safe at night than streets in many of the major European cities I've hostelled in. Also, bars and clubs almost all close at 2am here, so there are generally less people out and about during the early morning hours.
I was wondering if there are any hostel owners out there from other major US cities who could offer me some advice on hostel security. I've read a lot of great things on this forum about preventing theft and other "internal" crimes, but not too much on what kind of security measures are taken to secure the building from unwanted outside visitors.
Of course I welcome the opinions of people working in non-US city hostels as well. I just suggested American cities at first because we (unfortunately) seem to have a bigger crime rate here.
Thanks for any help you might be able to give!
- Comments
15 years
Are you sure this guest is honest?
I don't think so
He never has a laptop or stuff like that and try to make you problem
He will ask you to give money
That´s exactly what he did...he asked for one of our computers and some money.
But he´s gone, so we´ll see if he does any legall actions or what...
This was awkward because till now, everything was so perfect!
15 years
I have this type of scammer 1 or 2 times a year
It's always the same story (sometimes it's laptop or jewels etc...)
Don't worry about the legal action
I hope you didn't give any money
15 years
I have this type of scammer 1 or 2 times a year
It's always the same story (sometimes it's laptop or jewels etc...)
Don't worry about the legal action
I hope you didn't give any money
Nope, nothing.
15 years
Regardless of what anyone on here thought about 'spy' cameras, I'd definitely install cameras in my hostel if I were opening in Philly. To say the crime there is high would be an understatement but it also depends on the neighborhood. Anyway, I'm definitely going to install them in my hostel. What I loved about the hostels in South America was that 99% of them were gated (and had cameras). There was no way anyone was getting in unless they were buzzed in or they managed to climb the gate. :eek: If I can install a security gate when we open I will. I'm considering doing the whole buzz in system but it can be a bit of a hassle running to the desk to buzz in every guest that shows up, especially if only one person is working the front desk at the time and trying to get other stuff done around the place.
15 years
(Please feel free to move this post to another section if you feel it is more appropriate there.)
I am thinking about opening up a hostel in Philadelphia, but I am just a little concerned about running an all-hours business in a city that has had and does still have some crime issues.
It's not that the city is unsafe or anything. I love living here. It's just that the streets feel less safe at night than streets in many of the major European cities I've hostelled in. Also, bars and clubs almost all close at 2am here, so there are generally less people out and about during the early morning hours.
I was wondering if there are any hostel owners out there from other major US cities who could offer me some advice on hostel security. I've read a lot of great things on this forum about preventing theft and other "internal" crimes, but not too much on what kind of security measures are taken to secure the building from unwanted outside visitors.
Of course I welcome the opinions of people working in non-US city hostels as well. I just suggested American cities at first because we (unfortunately) seem to have a bigger crime rate here.
Thanks for any help you might be able to give!
Hi Philly,
Please do not just think about inside your hostel, also consider the area outside, good street lighting, shrubbery/hideing places. Consider haveing a Pub crawl as this will keep your guests in one large group. Keep the area clear of debris and graffiti as best you can. Get involved with local community watch groups, join the local business owners association to pertition city officials for anti-poverty/drugs/crime programs. All the best.
Patrick
15 years
We recently installed 22 cameras at our hostel. Granted it is a large hostel. We have cameras almost everywhere except the hallways on the upper floors, bathrooms, and sleeping rooms. The cameras have been a big help on multiple occasions. Someone's jacket was missing and we just rewound the video to see who took it. We had multiple break-ins (through windows) and we got good video that was turned over to the police. We can monitor the people sleeping in our media room to make sure they are registered guests. We can monitor our back patio to make sure guests are not being rowdy late at night.
My favorite happened recently. A guest came to the front desk to tell us that his food had been stolen from the kitchen and he had just put it there 10 min ago. Our front desk guy went to the cafeteria and announced to everyone present, "This guy's food was just stolen. I am going to give the thief five minutes to return it. If it is not in here when I come back, I'm going to review the video, come back in here, and call you out to everyone." Strangely enough, the food was there when he came back.
We've had no complaints or concerns from our guests regarding the cameras. Our cameras are really easy to use. We also have program to view them over the web. I can easily see what is going on at the hostel from my house.
15 years
Please remember one thing, fellas, you are only able to use the video as a proof of some sort of actions in case if there is a visible notice in the particular room/area that it is being recorded by closed circuit surveilance cameras. In many cases (depending on your local legislation) you might not be able to actually install these cameras at all. In most of the cases the law actually demands that the person is informed that it is being recorded.
And one more thing, do you really want to install the cameras in the dorms? We have everything on cameras, our eyes are everywhere, hallways, parking, restaurant, lobby, reception, stairs, entrances, pretty much everywhere...
15 years
Other than cameras , which we have , and our guests loveit! we ask to show your key card when you come in the door , even though it is locked 24/7 someone can walk in right behind you that is not a guest. So we always ask for cards. The guests love that they can feel secure in a place they are not familiar with.
15 years
Other than cameras , which we have , and our guests loveit! we ask to show your key card when you come in the door , even though it is locked 24/7 someone can walk in right behind you that is not a guest. So we always ask for cards. The guests love that they can feel secure in a place they are not familiar with.
Hey Everyone,
Talking about identifing your Guests.
How do you usually do to identify Guests from Visitors or even badly intentioned people?
Could you please share your experience.
I'm working on it to find the best way to do it.
Thanks!
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