By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
The Rhode Island chapter of the ACLU says they are troubled with recent news that the troubled Motel 6 on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick is providing a complete list of guests to police in order to cut down on crime.
Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian revealed Tuesday the management of the hotel has been providing the guest list to police to cross-check it for known criminals or people of suspicion. The new protocol is in response to the numerous police calls to the hotel, including a recent incident with an impromptu meth lab.
Rhode Island ACLU Director Steven Brown says that while some guests may not mind having their guest records turned over to police, others may not.
“There are also lots of law abiding people who think that it’s none of the government’s business to know where people are at any given night, it’s not for them to know what hotel they’re staying at, or how long they’re staying there, or why they’re on vacation,” said Brown.
Brown said he was unsure of what action his organization could take to prevent the sharing of information.
“Unfortunately once you give the information to the hotel, it’s sort of the hotel’s information and they can do what they want with it.”
Brown said guests have a right to know, and should be informed that information they provide is being shared with police.
