How to stay crime-free while traveling

A lot of us are going to be on the road over the next few weeks, so it's a good time to go over crime-prevention tips for travelers. Michael Right, vice president of public affairs for AAA Missouri, had a few pieces of advice.

1. Obey the traffic laws, especially the speed limit. This is especially true if you're traveling out-of-state. Your license plate is going to mark you as an out-of-towner, which could make less-scrupulous LEOs target you for a ticket.

2. Choose a hotel with good security. AAA has a rating system for hotels on its site, and there are a handful of other sites that offer similar reviews. Better ratings usually mean better security. By-the-hour establishments in bad parts of town -- avoid 'em. If you stay at a motel, try to find one with interior corridors, rather than ones that open directly to the outdoors. Parking garages tend to offer more security than surface parking lots.

3. When you check in, don't let the desk clerk broadcast your room number. You never know who's hanging out in the lobby.

4. Double-check the locks after you get into the room. Make sure they work. Make sure that doors to the patio or attached rooms are locked.

5. Don't travel with valuables unless it's necessary. You might leave home with a Rolex and come back with a Timex. Consider shipping gifts through the mail, especially if you're flying. And don't leave valuables inside your car in plain sight. Put laptops, phones, etc., in your trunk. (If you've been reading CSKC for more than a day, you already know this.)

Comments

[Ein]

4a. Make sure the peephole of your hotel room door faces the proper direction. I've been in a room where it was reversed. I informed the hotel (but nothing was done) and taped something over it during my stay.

[AH]

Most peepholes seem to be two way. Look in at your room if you can see anything use a post-st note to cover.

[Truth]

6. Be prepared to be harassed and "legally" shook down by cops in the name of public safety.