Police, the city and hotel operators could keep closer tabs on who’s coming and going in Nanaimo with Hotel Watch.
The program, which is in its planning stages, is a partnership between RCMP, the city and hotel and motel operators.
Cpl. Jake Ryan, of the RCMP’s Community Policing division, said police and the city met Thursday with managers of several major hotels to explore ideas to develop a general framework for how the program could be set up and function.
“Some of the initial conversation was around intel sharing of different things they’re seeing in hotels that would help in terms of policing aspects,” Ryan said. “Also, us helping with training for their staff, what to do if there’s a robbery, what to do if they see things in a room like stolen property or a meth lab.”
The RCMP and the city are now contacting operators of all hotels and motels in Nanaimo to gather their opinions about the program at a meeting scheduled for March 25, just prior to the Battlefield Fight League: Invasion mixed martial arts event. The competition will draw hundreds of people to Nanaimo and could provide opportunities for hotel operators and staff to generate new ideas for the program.
“[Hotel Watch] is really in its inception – in its infant stages, so we’re trying to see what it’s going to look like,” Ryan said.
