The Blue Springs Police Department crime prevention unit has introduced the crime-free hotel/motel program, a complementary program to expand the current crime-free multi-housing program.</p><p>“We are very excited to offer this program that specifically addresses the safety needs of the many hotels and motel properties in Blue Springs that have different crime prevention needs than other businesses,” said Chief Wayne McCoy. “Crime Prevention Officer, Doug Heishman, has the direct responsibility for oversight of this program and is ready and able to assist area property managers in making their property safe.”</p><p>On June 6, the crime prevention unit hosted the first crime-free hotel/motel training at the Community and Youth Outreach Bureau building. Topics included visitor registration, employment, crime prevention, crime prevention through environmental design and drug identification. The class was attended by eight local hotel employees and managers, representing Courtyard by Marriott, Days Inn and American Inn.</p><p>The program is designed to assist owners and managers of hotel and motel properties to keep drugs and other illegal activity away from their properties. The program is “solution oriented,” designed to be easily implemented, yet effective in reducing the incidents of crime in hotel and motel communities.</p><p>The first phase of the program is a four hour training class provided to the owners, managers and employees of the hotel. Class topics include crime prevention through environmental design, drug identification, registration processes, combating crime and liability issues. </p><p>Phase two covers the minimum CPTED requirements:</p><p>* Deadbolt locks</p><p>* Eye viewers</p><p>* Sliding glass doors</p><p>* Landscape maintenance</p><p>* Adequate lighting</p><p>* Posting of certificates</p><p>* Positive photo ID from guests</p><p>* Recording of serial numbers</p><p>* Key control</p><p>An officer from the BSPD crime prevention unit will periodically visit the property and inspect the property for minimum requirements. </p><p>The third and final phase is full crime-free certification and managers and owners are then granted the use of large metal signs for display on the property, as well as use of the Blue Springs Police Department’s program logo in all advertisements.</p><p>The crime-free hotel/motel program teaches many valuable prevention techniques including preparing the property so it does not attract crime, develop applicant screening procedures, recognizing warning signs of illegal activity, appropriate actions if illegal activity is discovered on the property, posted rules at the front desk and assigning highly visible rooms to suspicious guests.</p><p>The program demonstrates proven management techniques, including on-going management, spotting illegal activity, working with the police, how to become a pro-active property manager and empower employees, crisis resolution, maintaining trespass logs and keeping the legitimate users and the abusers apart.</p><p>Those interested in being a part of or need more information about the crime-free hotel/motel program should contact the crime prevention unit at 816-228-0178 or crimeprevention@bluespringsgov.com.