Workplace Safety
Real Estate Agents

Workplace Safety - real estate agents are isolated prey for predators.

Balazs Gombos, a convicted felon, met Port Orange FL realtor Janice Flasschoen to look at a house for sale. Gombos struck her twice in the back of the head with a hammer.
Excerpted from Inman News – 14 March 2006

“He seemed like a legitimate buyer,” realtor Julie Roberts said. Upon entering a home, he hit her with a gun. “He told me to be quiet or he would kill me.” Police said, “One of every four real estate agents will be involved in a dangerous situation.”
Excerpted from The Pinellas Park Beacon (FL) – 16 March 2006

Winnipeg police were warned four months ago about a violent career criminal who was trying to lure female real estate agents into his home. Marlene Hornick – a real estate agent – said Joseph Robert Davis tried to lure her into his apartment last fall by posing as a prospective homebuyer. ... Davis – who has a violent criminal past dating back nearly 20 years, including sexual and physical violence against women – was arrested by police yesterday for allegedly luring another woman realtor into his apartment and attempting to rape her. ... Hornick said she twice went to police to report his suspicious behaviour. But her warnings fell on deaf ears. "They never warned me that this man was a sexual offender. Why didn't they at least tell me that? Because our justice system is more concerned about protecting the rights of criminals, not victims.” ... Hornick said police assured her Davis - who once took part in a hostage-taking of a prison nurse during a botched escape plan - was "harmless."
Excerpted from The Winnipeg Sun – 10 January 2008

Police were searching for the person who killed real estate agent Lindsay Buziak. Her body was found in a new home listed for sale.
Excerpted from The Calgary Herald – 04 February 2008

A real estate agent can use a camera cell phone to send digital images of a prospective buyer to a remote receiver. Smoothly snap each prospective buyer the instant you meet him and casually explain it’s standard realtor's safety policy.

Right away any potential predator knows he’s no longer anonymous. Then snap and zap his driver's license, car, and license plate number as well. Even if the ID is bogus and the car is stolen, there is a digital image of him and far more of a trail than a predator wants. This may well deter an attack – but don't count on that as your only safety strategy.

You and the prospective buyer should always travel in separate cars. You should always have pepper spray at the ready. See Pepper Spray & Devices.

Notify your office of your safety status with code words such as: “my files are green-flagged.” Green means, “I’m OK;” yellow means, “I’m not sure, send help;” red means, “I’m in danger! SOS!

Get Misiu Systems Real Guard Personal Security Alarm System for real estate agents at RealGuard.com.

Learn all about Workplace Safety and other areas of worker's lives:
• Workplace Safety - Overview
• Workplace Risks & Remedies: seeing warning signs before violence erupts.
• Resolving Conflicts: handling verbal threats, defusing tension, intervening in a volatile situation, and building a safety net before you need it.
• Bank & Store Robberies: minimizing the dangers.
• Real-Estate Agent Safety (YOU’RE NOW ON THIS PAGE): protecting lone prey.
• Losing It - Petty Murders: cautionary tales of flirting with disaster for home, outdoor, and workplace safety.
• Recap & Resources for heading off trouble at work, outdoors, and home.
• Pepper Spray & Devices also provide safety at work.

Return to
Workplace Safety - Overview
Crime-Safety-Security Home Page