advise hoteliers on how to better protect their guests from crime.

BHA executive officer Mr. John Harvey said nothing was definite but he hoped to book the expert, whom he declined to name, for sometime in the New Year.

"He has a message that is very forceful and can be very helpful to hoteliers,'' Mr. Harvey said.

He was introduced to him and a number of other security experts this week at the South Florida Hotel and Motel Association conference. The topic was hotel safety and security.

Mr. Harvey said he learned just how critical awareness -- in all areas -- was in targeting hotel crime.

"Everybody needs to be more aware of the crime scenario,'' he said.

Experts who spoke raised such aspects as the community telephoning 911 when they see something suspicious and hotel managers ensuring their properties did not hide crime, he said.

It was noted that if hedges and other bushes were not properly trimmed they could be "the barrier between the culprit and security''.

Although Bermuda's hoteliers were doing much to combat crime, "Their responsibility is never ending,'' he said. "Individual detail must now be placed on crime prevention and detection. We must look at it more aggressively.''