Disorder at Budget Motels

• NCJ Number: 208502
• Author(s): Karin Schmerler
• Date Published: February 2005
• Length: 80 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2002CKWX0003
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Problem-Specific Guides Series, No. 30.

Annotation

After describing the problem of disorder and crime at budget motels and reviewing factors that contribute to this problem, this book provides guidance for police agencies in analyzing a local problem, followed by recommended responses.

Abstract

Because budget motels offer low rates, accept cash, and often have a relatively unrestricted environment, local residents who have illicit or antisocial intentions find them attractive as sites for disorderly and criminal behavior that can range from nuisance parties to robbery and sexual assault. Police agencies must first analyze their local problem before designing an effective response strategy. This involves a review of calls for service and crime incidents at each motel in the jurisdiction, an assessment of motel management practices, a survey of property conditions and layout, a determination of the characteristics of the victims and offenders involved in crime incidents at a motel, and an analysis of current responses. Once the local problem has been analyzed and a baseline established for measuring effectiveness, a police agency is ready to consider responses to the problem. This book outlines response strategies that provide a foundation of ideas for addressing particular problems at motel sites. Four general principles are to enlist the support of public and private community agencies with a stake in crime prevention at local businesses, obtain cooperation from motel owners and managers, establish and enforce minimum motel operating and security standards, and develop crime-and-disorder performance standards and goals. Recommendations for specific responses to crime and disorder at budget motels are under the general categories of deterring/screening problem guests and visitors, managing problem guests and visitors, and changing the physical environment. Also, responses that have proven to have limited effectiveness are noted. 48 references, 17 annotated recommended readings, and a list of other problem-oriented guides for police