caught in the act

[seigus]

There are two parts to this tale of perversion - the actual event and my request for information/advice.

I'm in my hotel room. I have a balcony, and because of the odd outlay of the hotel, my room juts out somewhat from the other rooms. This allows me a degree of privacy, and also makes it difficult for others to see me. As I'm standing there enjoying the beautiful night view of the valley filled with lights, I notice someone on the ground floor below and to the right of me. He is looking furtively around, and up, but doesn't see me. He then proceeds to start peeking in the window of a room! I know he's peeping because he keeps moving to get a better view. I say "So, out for a little stroll?" He looks around rather nervously, but doesn't see me. I didn't say it very loud, so I guess he figures the voice wasn't directed at him. Thinking he's in the clear, he repositions himself for more creepy watching. I then say "Doing a little peeking, are we?" Realizing at last he's been spotted, he bolts for THE ROOM NEXT TO THE ONE HE"S PEEKING INTO and hurriedly enters and slams his door. I laugh and shudder at the same time.

And now for the information/advice request. I know Smiley Eagle and thehippie777 both work in hotels, as well as some others, so please tell me: what would happen if a guest reported this situation to you? Is there anyhing you could do? Would you confront the Tom? Inform the peeked-upon? Call the police? I did not report this because I did not know what I would be getting involved in. I was satisfied I had scared the hell out of the guy (and went onto the balcony several more times to assure he had not returned). What would have been the best way to deal with this?

[AnaKhouri]

I would inform the front desk of what you saw and let them make the call. I assume they would call the cops to handle the guy.

[Javarod]

Chuckles, "Maybe i'm evil, but my solution would've been funnier if he's in the right position, and that's an ice bucket full of water."

[seigus]

Chuckles, "Maybe i'm evil, but my solution would've been funnier if he's in the right position, and that's an ice bucket full of water."

Oh, man, I wish I had thought of that! I had an ice chest full of ice and water (would have had to remove the bottles of Hop Czar first). From where I was, I would have soaked him thoroughly - and probably put quite the damper on his itch as well.

[LillFilly]

*Shudders*

I hate you.

You just made me think of the hotel rooms that faced into the indoor pool area at my hotel. The rooms had 2sets of curtains; a sheer (you can see through them when the room light is on, but when you're in the room you can't see out if it's dark outside), and then the light-blocking ones you pulled for complete privacy.

Doing my rounds I walked past the pool area (closed and DARK; remember this!) and my attention was drawn to the only lit room...where a guy was sitting on his bed...which was in front of the window...with only the sheers drawn...doing...



*Shudders*

[infinitemonkies]

I had something similar happen last summer, but at home, not at the hotel.

It was on one of my nights off, and about 5am, the sun was just starting to come up.
I look out at the building across from mine, and notice a guy creeping around in the bushes trying to mount a webcam that would look into his neighbors bedroom window. It wasn't even a wireless model. it had a visable cord leading back into his apartment.

So I called the cops.

Miraculously, they showed up while he was still outside fiddling with the camera. I couldn't hear the entire conversation, but I did hear him try to claim the camera was a signal booster for WIFI. That might have worked on the non-tech savvy neighbor or landlords, but the cops know a camera when the see one.

He was taken away in handcuffs, and subsequently evicted. (note, he had only moved in 4 days earlier.)

[Anakah]

Ick. I'm glad you called him out on it. You saved someone from being violated by a peeper. Ugh, people make me an angry panda. What a jerk. He should invest in a good mag or skin-a-max. Atleast that way he can pay for it instead of trying to get a free sneak peek :P But I can't believe he had the balls to do that. That's icky.

[thehippie777]

My hotel has guidelines on how to handle legal situations, and peeping is a crime. I liked what you did, however, by catching him & embarrassing him. I appreciate guests who are willing to do something themselves and also inform me.

If the person being peeped upon had seen the person spying on them & called me, I would have to inform management right away. You could have called the desk and given a description of where the peeper was out of, and from there management would have to handle the situation. Unless there is solid evidence, nothing much can be done unless the person is caught in the act by the victim or hotel staff.

As for the police, since the desk did not bear witness to the incident, that person has the option of calling them themselves, and I can often connect them if they don't wish to call 911. From there, evidence would be gathered and hopefully the peeping Tom would be caught.

Just so you know, the hotel is not liable. The guest that might have been being peeped upon should have fully closed their provided curtains. Hopefully everything in the hotel is standard to prevent incidents like this. Most curtains overlap when closed to prevent cracks.

Also, in this day & age, I wonder if there was a couple or family in that room. Or the guest could have been checking out if that room had the same decor. I am unable to jump to conclusions myself.

[50 mission cap]

I would tell the front desk. At our hotel we have security and they can handle it, make people go back in the room, or kick them out if needed.

[PepperElf]

my idea...

inform the front desk, and if you can tell them what room number was the peeper do it. let them know you'll be willing to talk to the police.

if they shrug it off, call the cops. since the peeper isn't peeping anymore, i'd suggest the non-emergency number.

[seigus]

Thanks, all. My first thought was that the hotel couldn't do much about it, but if it ever happens again (I hope not!) I will notify the front desk and let the chips fall where they may.