Security Professionals are continually faced with huge challenges on budget and cost issues when recommending to improve their properties' security environment. The challenge increases and becomes more difficult if the security point person does not enjoy the support of his Executive Officers. Confronted with this situation, the very role of the Security Manager is to help management understand the need, and the benefit the company would enjoy from the system.
With the operability of the Walk-Through Metal Detector, the untiring support of my General Manager James Montenegro played a very crucial role in making it possible. As a sign of my appreciation, what I have below is part of the information I sent to my General Manager outlining few immediate effects and feedback after the system was installed. A little while after this upgrade, the Hotel's "Security and Safety" made its way to the "Third Rank" among the hotel's vital services in our recent "Guest Satisfaction Survey". Henceforth, I find it pertinent and proud to share this to fellow security practitioners as a positive insight to learning.
Excerpts:
The Walk Through Metal detector was in full effect on 8th of Sept 2012 at exactly 1700H this date. Fortunately, the implementation mostly took positive comments from guests while other nationalities (Americans, Koreans, Europeans) verbally commended the new system in place. A handful of locals also appreciated the system seeing the hotel's gesture and intent to protect its guests and visitors. A female guest in her early forties also lamented that hotel should have one as people are used to entering establishments with such system just like in prominent Malls.
With the operability of the Walk-Through Metal Detector, the untiring support of my General Manager James Montenegro played a very crucial role in making it possible. As a sign of my appreciation, what I have below is part of the information I sent to my General Manager outlining few immediate effects and feedback after the system was installed. A little while after this upgrade, the Hotel's "Security and Safety" made its way to the "Third Rank" among the hotel's vital services in our recent "Guest Satisfaction Survey". Henceforth, I find it pertinent and proud to share this to fellow security practitioners as a positive insight to learning.
Excerpts:
The Walk Through Metal detector was in full effect on 8th of Sept 2012 at exactly 1700H this date. Fortunately, the implementation mostly took positive comments from guests while other nationalities (Americans, Koreans, Europeans) verbally commended the new system in place. A handful of locals also appreciated the system seeing the hotel's gesture and intent to protect its guests and visitors. A female guest in her early forties also lamented that hotel should have one as people are used to entering establishments with such system just like in prominent Malls.
A non-uniformed police escort of a town Mayor after seeing the system in our Lobby Entrance immediately volunteered to inform
security personnel of a firearm (concealed) with him and requested
permission to gain entry. A prominent political figure also entered the hotel naturally,
sending a positive gesture of his submission to the system.
Long Term Benefits:
The Walk-Through System has been an effective deterrent against criminal elements ranging from petty groups in common crimes against persons
and property, to hard-liner personalities into terroristic activities. The
level of security atmosphere in an establishment refers to the security
presence felt at the very front base of the building. This is where first
impressions are formed in the frame of mind of any adversary. As a common characteristic, terror groups would always go for what we call as "Soft Targets. Taking a little effort in hardening your property and not to become one would certainly deny these threats upfront.
The security’s role should be driven to make higher management realize
that it has invested a long term gain in terms of guest satisfaction, guest
returns, repeat businesses and places the organization, no less the
owners in a favourable stance when dealt with looming liability issues as a result of a potential security failure. Moreso, a desirable level of security would somehow reinforce the hotel's Sales Team when vying on "high-profile" accounts. Most often than not, these companies would consistently seek for a venue where security and safety are given preferential attention. The whole idea really is to send a message across to clienteles that the Hotel is effectively exercising its moral responsibility in delivering a reasonable level of intent to protect its
guests and patrons. The more stringent hotel security measures are, the lesser risk exposure it gets in between the challenges of litigation.
Common Concept of Operation:
Inherent to the system is an inspection procedure carried out by a
Security Staff on the inspection table prior to entry. Security Staff performs
"hand in heart" greeting to incoming guests and courteously asks
permission to perform security inspection on their bags with the guest's presence.
After a visual check on the contents, Security Staff warmly thank the guest
and directs them through the Walk-Through.
The other Security Staff stands by near the glass door and take's charge
of the Walk Through Detector Readings and takes note on the Detection Reading
Indicators. Security Staff per training is to conduct "non-intrusive"
way of detection and can only request for pat-down inspection if and when, a
firearm or bladed weapon is discovered from the guest's possession.
Guest after presenting valid documents authorizing him to possess and
carry his firearms, guest will be requested to deposit the same at the vault in presence of the Duty Manager and Security Officer after which,
a claim stub will be issued. Firearms will be checked, unloaded and cleared in a bullet trap prior to storage while pertinent details of firearm documents will be photocopied, logged in
the "Firearms Log Book".
