Hotels ready for Halloween celebration

by Natalie Hines
For The Post

Athens hotels are preparing for the Halloween weekend with security measures, but managers do not expect much change in the atmosphere.

Days Inn, 330 Columbus Road, has the Athens Police Department make rounds every few hours on special-event weekends, and it seems to be working, said Kenny Hampp, front desk clerk and maintenance worker.

"I've heard about other hotels getting whacked, but ours is pretty quiet," he said. "We've never had any serious incidents."

Amerihost Inn, 20 Home St., also uses the same security as it does on other special-event weekends, said Beth Inglod, guest service associate.

"Our security guys only work on special-event weekends," she said.

Special-event weekends include Ohio University home football games, Halloween, OU Sibs', Dads' and Mom's weekends, summer pre-college and OU graduation.

Amerihost employs three security people who also make rounds, but the hotel's atmosphere does not change much, said Shelley Flowers, front desk clerk. Though it is busier and people do have a few parties, there is not an increased need for security.

Carpenter Inn and Conference Center, outside Albany, makes sure a presence is known at all times during the Halloween weekend, manager Sandy Wood said.

"The hotel atmosphere doesn't change much [though], because by the time they get here, they are less rowdy," she said.

Wood also said the innkeeper is present 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but the hotel always is relatively safe.

Carpenter Inn experiences few problems because it has many repeat customers who are trustworthy, Wood said. Those customers are allowed to drink in moderation, but the hotel asks that they exercise self-control, she said.

All three hotels still have rooms available for the weekend.