A new ordinance is on the drawing board in Independence that would regulate all hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast businesses
The proposed ordinance was initiated by the Independence Hotel Alliance.
All lodging businesses would be required to have guests show an ID to check in.
The guest would also be required to have a credit or debit card to reserve their reservation.
The proposed ordinance would also mandate that police have access to the guest registry with a warrant at any time.
Some hotels in Independence that do not require guests to show ID have been targets of criminal activity.
Independence Mayor, Eileen Weir, explains that the ordinance is all about keeping hotel operators, hotel guests, and the community safe.
"If there is an Amber Alert, a Silver Alert or somebody who is maybe suffering from an illness or mental illness who is missing and we're trying to help locate them this will I think be a great tool to help us do that," said Weir.
The proposed city ordinance in Independence is still being drafted. Several city departments and some social service agencies are being asked to review the measure.
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Cynthia Newsome can be reached at Cynthia.Newsome@kshb.com.
