It should matter to everyone. There have been several reported incidents across the country where Realtors have been victimized. Of course you have to be aware that this may be the tip of the iceberg. Not all victims report their assaults. They are ashamed, embarrassed and often do not want people to know.
Maybe you're like most of us that believe that these things happen to others not us. Wrong! They can happen to anyone. Most of us walk around not even cognizant about our surroundings. We are too absorbed in our daily routines. We worry about what we have to do, who we have to call, etc. When doing this we are not concerned about what is happening around us. You do not have to be paranoid to be "aware", just observant. But first you have to accept the fact that you are vulnerable. You must first admit that you too can be a victim. Then you will consider taking what I call "common sense precautions" to lessen your vulnerability.
Your office should have a "Safety Policy" for all agents. Why? When you take strangers in your car to go look at usually vacant homes (the owners are not there) you are placing yourself in a vulnerable position. How to avoid being a victim is where the office policy can deter a criminal that is up to no good.
I know offices that the agents cannot go out with a client on a first appointment until a photocopy of the driver's license of the client is copied and placed in a file at the office. Some offices have their agents give a schedule of planned showings to the receptionist and the agent calls in at each location. If they are not heard from in a timely fashion the police are called.
Public Open Houses should never be conducted alone. Not that this is a guarantee to protect both agents but it is less likely that a sole perpetrator would attempt something under the circumstances. They'll go to the next open house where the agent may be alone! Less confrontation for them.
I personally think that it is your own safety you should be concerned about. If there isn't a policy in existence in your office, volunteer to have a meeting with the other agents and put one together. Have your office manager/owner/broker review the policy. I am sure he or she will want their legal council to check it out before implementing it. But once approved every member of the office must commit to abide by it. It is the only way it will work.
Even if you are in Oshkosh criminals travel around, do not be foolish enough to believe you are immune. In our own County of Westchester, NY, one hour out of Manhattan an agent was assaulted while she held a Public Open House in a mid-rise condominium building. You would think this would be a deterrent to a criminal, it wasn't. Some criminals thrive on the risk they take. Others do not want to get caught and will look for seclusion and do not want confrontation. You don't pick your attacker, they pick you and it is usually being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I'd rather be safe than sorry. I welcome your questions and concerns.
Contributed by Carol Kope | 
