It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in. In light of the recent murder of a Realtor meeting a stranger at a property here are 8 tips for Realtors to consider so they can protect themselves. We work in a very unusual work environment, where occasionally we meet strangers.
As a rule, never meet a stranger at a property. Meet them first at your office. (Even in light of the above information) If you feel this information is helpful, please pass it on to someone you know.
1. (Tip from Tae Kwon Do) The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! 2. From a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet or purse, Do Not Hand It To Him! Toss it away from you…chances are he’s more interested in your wallet or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet or purse. Run like mad in the other direction!
3. If you are ever thrown in the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole, and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women tend to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. Don’t Do This! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors and leave!
If someone is in the car with a gun to your head…Do Not Drive Off, repeat Do Not Drive Off! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your airbag will save you! If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A. Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
B. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their
victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C. Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard or policeman to walk you back out. It is always better to be safe than sorry (and better paranoid than dead)
6. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs (stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect
crime spot. This is especially true at night.
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, Always Run! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times: and even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ. Run, preferably, in a zig-zag pattern!
8. Women try to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who always played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane or a limp and often asked for help in his vehicle or with his vehicle which is when he abducted his victims.
Not too long ago I was leaving a Broker’s Open House with a friend who’d used his lockbox for us to gain access to the property. As we were leaving, a very good-looking young couple pulled up in a brand new BMW and pretended they were agents also out on the Broker’s tour. They said they were agents, and that could we leave the door open so that they wouldn’t have to use their lockbox key. My friend trusted them, and let them in. The next day he was called by the listing agent to find out they had robbed the house.
Fellow realtors, please be careful, and all the best out there.
