CCTV Systems Hotel Guidelines

Hotels and other hospitality destinations have a very real need for CCTV systems to monitor public areas for security and guest safety. While some organizations raise issues of guest privacy, the truth is that any hotel, motel or other rental property that does not provide appropriate security for its guests is opening itself to a whopper of a lawsuit. This possibility becomes even more likely when you consider how television shows have accustomed the public’s expectations with regards to security footage in hotels, motels and resorts. Thanks to the depiction of the complex CCTV systems on police procedurals and adventure shows that feature famous Las Vegas and NYC hotels, much of the public believes that all hotels are outfitted similarly.
Of course, such complex CCTV layouts are exorbitantly prohibitive for most small hotels and motels. In addition, there’s a fine line of balance between privacy concerns and the legal duty to provide the highest level of safety possible. Here are a few of the concerns and issues you should consider when deciding on what types of security camera and surveillance equipment you’ll use in your hospitality business.
Your State and Local Laws
Federal, state and local laws all have a bearing on what is expected and what is allowed in regards to security camera coverage and surveillance camera placement. Before installing any kind of CCTV systems in your facility, check with your local authorities to find out what’s acceptable and what’s forbidden.
Guest Expectations
For example, most guests expect a security camera in “dangerous” areas, such as parking garages, elevators and long hallways. They’re likely to be accepting of a surveillance camera at the check-in desk or the entry to the facility. However, they have a reasonable expectation of privacy – one that is generally supported by law – once they step inside the door of the room they have rented. Thus, guests should have a reasonable assurance that they will not be watched in their suites, but that there’s a good possibility of being on camera when in public areas and amenities like swimming pools and workout rooms.
To Monitor or Not to Monitor
It’s also important to consider how you’re actually going to use the CCTV system you install. If the intent is to provide security and peace of mind for your guests, you have to decide whether to employ  a full-time security employee to monitor the feeds from the security camera in real time. Will you install cameras that can be seen? How about security monitors? Where will you locate them? Will someone be able to watch the feed at all times, or is the footage only available for review after the fact?
Whatever you decide, it’s important that you know why you arrived at the decision you did with regard to the CCTV systems you installed. It may be important in case you are ever called upon to justify those decisions in court.