This is a subject we will address today. Most my remember that in November 2008 at a hotel in Bombay, terrorists seized control of the building, killed many hostages, and dominated the news for several days.
Recently I was asked by a close associate, if this same type of hostile takeover could ever happen at a hotel here in the US. The answer to this question is simple, Yes it could. Now lets discuss how it could happen, but also why it has not happened, and is not very likely to ever actually happen.
Lets pick a large US city, that has a high concentration of mosques, and take a close look at the security, preparedness and response system in place. For this exercise we will use the US city of Chicago, IL. Chicago seems most suitable for our needs here since after all, this is the home city of our President. Now we need a hotel in Chicago so, lets go with a national landmark like The Drake Hotel. Below is an excerpt of the history of the Drake.
The Drake Hotel, Chicago, was built in 1920 by brothers John and Tracy Drake. From the very beginning, the Drake brothers set out to create a structure that would inspire awe and emulation. Built as one of the nation’s first urban resorts, The Drake gained in fame throughout the 1920s. The Drake was home to the famous “Amos and Andy” radio show, and to numerous big band performances of the time. In 1924, HRH the Prince of Wales (later known as the Duke of Windsor) was a guest of The Drake, establishing The Drake’s 84-year tradition of serving as the Chicago home to the British royal family. Future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was also a guest of The Drake during the 1920s, as were such notables as exiled Grand Duke Alexander of Russia and Queen Marie of Romania.
Alright, now we know that the Drake is a landmark, with history and grace. What would you think the level of security is for a hotel such as The Drake? The answer to that question is absolutely NONE!!! There is no “terrorism” security in place at the Drake hotel or ANY other hotel in the city of Chicago. The doors are open, back doors, service elevators, garage entrances and roof entrances. Obviously this is not a concern at a hotel in Chicago.
Now the real question is not why these hotels don’t have a armed security staff, or cameras on all entrances, guards on all doors no, the real question is why hasn’t some crazy terrorist taken over this hotel, or another hotel of this stature and with this lack of security. After all with thousands of mosques in Chicago there just has to be at least one or two radical jihadists in the bunch yes? Actually no, there aren’t. These hotels don’t have the security measures in place because THEY DON’T NEED THEM!
Why don’t they need them you ask; Because nothing is going to happen at those locations because there are no terrorists to do anything at these locations. More to come……..