A former FBI agent based in South Carolina has recently shared tips for women staying at hotels by themselves. By following his advice, women can be safe from hotel predators, according to him. Reactions to his clip, however, have been mixed.
The now-retired federal agent in question is Steve Lazarus, who is also a U.S. Air Force veteran and a crime fiction author. His viral clip posted on TikTok garnered more than 1.5 million likes and thousands of comments, thanks in part to the tips he provided and the sensitive topic itself.
Lazarus started listing “simple but effective habits” for women traveling alone, staying by themselves in hotels. According to him, “predators” love hotels, and the former FBI agent advised women to be cautious from the get-go.
“Park in the front of the hotel where the lights are brighter and the camera coverage is better,” Lazarus said. “Use the main entrance every time you enter or leave the property. Stairwells and side entrances are not your friend.”
During check-in, Lazarus recommended women to guard their private space as if they were at an ATM. Not allowing anyone to see the room key envelope and, therefore, the room number, is also very important.
When it comes to the elevator, the South Carolina man recommended not to push the floor button “until the door closes.” If someone, however, goes on the elevator, Lazarus said to let them select their floor first. Standing near the panel, women should be aware of the alarm button, and, should they feel it’s necessary, return to the lobby.
Security Sweep, Exhausted Reactions
After arriving at the hotel room door, women should verify if they have been followed, put out the “Do Not Disturb” sign, and lock the door once inside, Lazarus said. Once in the room, they should perform a “security sweep,” looking for hiding spots or potential privacy breaches.
The former federal agent even recommended getting a hidden camera detector to potentially find if there are cameras or microphones hidden in the room. Finally, installing a door stop alarm in the room is something Lazarus also recommended.
“They will scare the crap out of someone trying to sneak into your room during the night,” Lazarus added.
While many appreciated his tips, many others, mostly women, shared that having to put up with creeps and predators daily is not a good or sane way to live.
“We are literally hunted and watched like animals,” one user commented. “Living like this is exhausting,” another one said. A third added, “I’m still exhausted to be a woman. We are NEVER safe and rarely secure.”
Having to go through all this to be able to enjoy a stay at a hotel or traveling in general is, indeed, exhausting. No one should feel in danger like this. Tragically, that’s how the world is.
