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Top 4 Security Issues Facing Hotels

Security can be a tricky issue to deal with in the hospitality sector. With so many people coming and going, there’s a lot of security concerns to keep track of. And hotel grounds tend to be more extensive, making it harder for staff to cover every area while working to ensure guest happiness. 

Still, general managers and hotel staff have a responsibility to have a plan to protect their guests and their personal property, along with their own property and employees. But you don’t have to do it alone. To assist you, our professional security experts have put together this list of the top four security issues facing hotel and lodging facilities along with some suggestions for addressing them.

1. Trespassing and Loitering

With so many guests at once, a high rate of turnover, constant visitors, and numerous employees, there’s an awful lot of people to keep track of at a hotel. It’s often extraordinarily difficult to know who belongs in a particular place at any given time. If there’s a bar, restaurant, or convention center for events, the problem is even more pronounced. 

Since employees and security officers can’t tell the difference between a guest and someone who’s planning to steal just by looking at them, access control measures need to be put in place. After certain hours, requiring key cards to get into all doors is a must. Consider also requiring a swipe to get into all amenities 24/7 to ensure only guests can access pools, fitness centers, business centers, and other areas that have expensive equipment that can be damaged.

2. Theft of Property

Lodging facilities and other public accommodations tend to have a problem with theft. Despite popular belief, most instances of theft occur in common areas rather than in rooms. In fact, while some people do break into hotel rooms to steal, many of the thefts that occur in rooms are that of hotel property that guests take when they leave. 

Some of the more brazen guests might copy their key card or claim they lost it so that they can enter the room after they check out to take things without being charged. Perhaps even more surprising, five-star hotels are more likely to have high-end items lifted by guests than 4-star ones. Keep an up-to-date inventory of items in each room and have your cleaning crew check

Also, be sure to educate guests when they check in about best practices for keeping track of their personal items when using the pool, fitness center, or common areas of the hotel. Some guests may come from different areas or countries where such practices aren’t well known.

3. Parking Lot Theft

Hotel parking lots are usually full of cars that are often left unattended for long periods of time. This can lead to carjackers and petty thieves targeting these areas. Higher-end hotels tend to have more expensive luxury cars in the parking lot that could signal to passersby that big-ticket items can be found inside them. It’s not uncommon for high-priced stereo systems, other electronics, jewelry, cash, or even the car itself, to go missing from the lot. Statistics show that items being stolen from inside cars are more common than actual auto theft, making up 85 percent of all auto-related theft, and cars are four times more likely to be stolen from parking lots than other places.

To help increase the safety and security of your hotel parking lot, look closely for shadowy corners, dingy pathways, and other scary-looking areas. Consultant lighting and/or security experts who can recommend solutions that fill those areas with light. You should also consider security cameras that can both serve as an active deterrence to crime as well as a way to catch thieves in the act.

4. Disorderly Conduct

Hotels and lodging facilities want their guests to let loose and have a good time. After all, isn’t that often the purpose of taking a vacation? However, sometimes people take it a little too far. Guests can act out of character while away from home by drinking too much, getting loud, or being confrontational at which point having fun becomes disorderly conduct. 

When guests become belligerent or get into altercations, they become a risk to guest safety. Even just playing loud music or having rowdy parties can be a disturbance to other guests. This can be a real issue for hotel employees trying to ensure that every guest enjoys their stay. Having an on-site or mobile patrol security officer who actively monitors guest behavior and specific trouble areas, such as party/event spaces and pool areas, can help keep the shenanigans to a minimum, This frees up your front desk staff to focus on providing good service.

Schedule a Free Security Assesment

How Signal Security Can Help

As a hotel manager, you should know the impact of first impressions. A poor perception of your property’s security can impact the entire experience. Guests then go home to leave bad reviews that hurt your business and help your competition.

Luckily, there’s a solution. You can give your guests confidence by partnering with Signal.

Patrols to Meet Your Needs

Signal’s signature vehicle can be parked outside in the front driveway or near the main entrance. Guests will be assured by the sight of our distinctive patrol SUV from check-in to check-out.

A highly-trained Signal officer can stop by your hotel several times per night. For example, you may wish to add security around the time of an overnight shift change. Your employees will be grateful for the added peace of mind as they head to their cars.

If your hotel encounters problems at a certain time each day, Signal can help by providing a stable security presence. For instance, if bars in your city close at 2am, Signal can patrol from 2 to 4. Our officers’ professional presence will ensure peace and safety for all your guests and staff.

The schedule is always modifiable to meet your unique needs. Officers could move through each hallway, alert for signs of smoking, drug use, disturbances, or new maintenance issues. They could even patrol the pool, elevator, stairwells, and other “blind spots” on your property.

Worldwide Expertise, Neighborhood Care

Signal achieves this level of personal care and flexibility through our local franchising model. Each Signal Franchise is individually owned and operated, so clients work with local experts who are proud to serve their communities.

When you entrust your guests’ safety to Signal, you’re trusting the global leader in peace of mind. We’ve transformed the security industry through world-class service from local experts who know and love the communities we protect.

Make the Numbers Work For You

Countless studies have shown that travelers rate safety and security as the most important factor in their lodging decision.

A 2003 study surveyed over 3,000 visitors to Anaheim, California. Respondents rated their level of concern about hotel security at 9.1 out of 10. A whopping 61% of all respondents responded with a solid 10.

The same research found that travelers are comforted by a highly-visible security presence. For this question, the average rating was 8.6. 50% of respondents ranked it a 10.

The takeaway: Hotels that invest in visible and proactive security will succeed in the modern hospitality market.

 

You can ensure a delightful stay for every guest by partnering with Signal. We’re here to help, so don’t wait any longer. Discover more about our security services and find your nearest Signal location. Get started by requesting a free, on-site security assessment from Signal.

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

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