LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada lawmakers are exploring issues surrounding the safety of hotel workers and detection of possible crimes, as employees testify about on-the-job encounters with guns, drugs and sex trafficking in hotel rooms.
It’s the focus of the Legislature’s Joint Special Committee to Examine Functions at Hotels for Housekeeping Staff. The first hearing was held in March; another hearing date has not been set, yet.
The Nevada Resort Association testified about robust security resources and state-of-the-art technology deployed across properties to deter, spot and eliminate criminal activities or threats; resort security teams work closely with Metro Police and local law enforcement to protect tourists and workers.
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“Las Vegas is home to more hotel rooms than any other U.S. city. Worldwide, we are in the top five for the number of hotel rooms… The resort industry understands that the value of successful housekeeping operations comes down to the team members,” said Virginia Valentine with the Resort Association.
Workers receive training and are instructed to “see something, say something”; workers also have access to personal safety devices or panic buttons, and can request accompaniment to occupied guest rooms,” Valentine said.
Hotel workers entering rooms may be the first employees to spot or detect possible criminal activity.
“Housekeeping staff, they’re witnessing this firsthand– and so how can we protect them, their safety?” said State Sen. Lori Rogich to FOX5. “We need to look at the data and continue to understand what is actually happening down there,” she said.
Addressing this issue is critical to cracking down on trafficking of minors, Rogich tells FOX5. The Silver State ranks among the highest in the nation for victims per capita.
“[Housekeepers] see what’s happening on a daily basis. They’re entering these rooms and they’re able to see a child or a situation or even an adult who is being victimized through that type of industry,” Rogich tells FOX5.
One housekeeper even saw the word “help” scribbled on a wall, according to Joe Spica, a 25-year bellman. FOX5 interviewed him at the Culinary Union headquarters.
“I’ve worked days, I’ve worked swings, I’ve worked graves. I’ve worked it all. I know what it’s like… Especially late at night, early mornings, sometimes you might go up into the towers and you hear stuff through the doors. You might hear people arguing and fighting. How do you know what’s going on? How do I know when I call security and when not to call security?” Spica tells FOX5.
Over time, Spica said he’s learned to converse with guests to scan for risks, and if he suspects anything suspicious in luggage, he alerts security teams that rapidly respond.
“If we have instances that we know certain guests might come and have a reputation, so to speak, I don’t know why we keep on letting them come in,” Spica tells FOX5.
Housekeepers may happen to uncover potential illegal drugs, paraphernalia or weapons in hotel rooms.
“I see guns about every two to three months… I constantly find needles and drug paraphernalia, hypodermic needles,” one worker testified to the Committee.
Illegal marijuana and sales on the Strip are a major concern across the resort corridor; legal dispensaries are not allowed around gaming areas, but illicit sales are a pervasive problem. Tourists are banned from smoking at resorts, but may bring illicit marijuana into hotel rooms.
“The intoxicating hemp and the illicit cannabis market that is thriving within the resort corridor… that leaves that opportunity open to those that are bad actors,” Rogich said.
Last session, lawmakers explored various pieces of legislation to address the issue of illicit marijuana sales.
After months of research and testimony, committees that meet during the Interim may recommend or propose legislation or action for the next Legislative session.
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