Workplace Safety Tips:
Real Estate Agents

Workplace Safety Tips - personal safety strategies for isolated Real Estate agents.

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

Michael Edward Sleeman is charged with raping a real estate agent while she was showing him a house. Once inside, he pulled out a knife and attacked her. ... Neighbors said they didn't see or hear anything and were concerned that such a violent crime occurred nearby. "I was actually shocked. It's a quiet, low-key neighborhood," one resident said.
Excerpted from WRAL-TV (Raleigh NC) – 07 September 2009

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.

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!

Workplace Safety Tips for Bullying, Workplace Harassment, and Personal Safety In The Workplace:

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