City of Columbia MobileMobile device users, tell us how we can improve your experience.
City of Columbia MobileMobile device users, tell us how we can improve your experience.
600 East Walnut
Columbia, MO 65201-4491
573-874-7652/FAX: 573-874-3142
Register For Crime Free Hotel/Motel Program
Crime Free Hotel Program Manual
Hotel/Motel properties present a unique challenge to law enforcement. Although their primary function is to house guests for a specific "limited" time period, individuals who may not be able to qualify for an apartment may decide to rent a room for an extended period of time, usually by the month. This poses potential problems for the properties and in many instances can be directly correlated to criminal activity both on the property and within the surrounding communities. The immediate question that hotel/motel managers should ask themselves is why pay an inflated price (many times above the price of an apartment) to live in accommodations that may be more confining. In some instances, these occupants have a greater desire for mobility due to their criminal involvements or activities.
Although renting these rooms gives the property a higher occupancy rate, many times it is at the expense of additional criminal activity on the property, making the property less desirable for legitimate, law-abiding guests. This has increased frustration for both property owners and police departments as calls for service continue to increase and the police department attempts to handle the numerous complaints generated on these properties. Numerous arrests involving guests off property are also made by police officers, without any knowledge of the incident being brought to the attention of the hotels and motels. Increased communications, specified procedures for registration, and additional preventative protocols are needed to assist both the hotels/motels and the police department in combating criminal activity on these properties.
The result is the Columbia Crime Free Hotel/Motel Program. This program will follow the same basic conceptual ideas presented by the successful Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. This program has had a significant impact on crime reduction in the areas implemented.
The purpose of the Columbia Crime Free Hotel/Motel Program is to assist property managers in establishing certain protocols and guidelines to reduce criminal activity within their properties. This will not only benefit the properties in reducing criminal activity within their communities, it will also benefit the police department by decreasing calls for service and making the community a safer place to live. This partnership between hotel/motel properties and law enforcement agencies allows the housing of those guests who are legitimate, while deterring others with criminal intent. Less crime on these properties may also mean less liability, less maintenance costs due to repairs, and less stress for management.
Upcoming training opportunities - Register Online
Officer Tim Thomason
Office: (573) 874-7426
Email: tethomas@gocolumbiamo.com
Mid America Crime Free Inc. www.midamericacrimefree.com A 501(c)3 to assist cities in MO, KS, IA, and NE in improving the quality of life in the housing/lodging/ storage industries.
International Crime Free Association www.crime-free-association.org More tips on Crime Free Multi Housing
Conducting Background Checks www.accudataservices.com Accudata Credit Systems - a mid Missouri company providing nationwide criminal and credit background checks and dedicated to Crime Free Programs
Boone County Missouri Sex Offender Registry www.showmeboone.com/sheriff
A list of registered sex offenders residing in Boone County Missouri
Emergency Planning www.ready.gov Preparing for any emergency situation. Information prepared by U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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