Th Sussex County Association of Realtors and sister organizations are observing Realtor Safety Month.
The program was founded several years ago by the National Association of Realtors and utilizes many different components, including webinars, safety tips, live presentations and written information.
“As Realtors, we are obviously in the business of matching buyer and seller and completing successful transactions that allow us to provide for our families. But our top priority at the Sussex County Association of Realtors is always safety, and it always will be safety,” says Frank Serio, president of SCAOR. “We’re committed to helping our members remain safe by providing educational resources necessary for protecting themselves.”
SCAOR has been fortunate that no serious injuries or deaths have occurred in recent years due to criminal activity directed toward its members. But several high-profile cases around the country have resulted in a greater emphasis on protecting real estate professionals who, by the nature of the job, can be put in dangerous situations.
The most highly publicized case this decade revolved around the kidnapping and murder of 50-year-old Beverly Carter, an Arkansas Realtor who was killed while on the job in 2014.
“Some of the changes that have come about due to the murder of Beverly Carter include working harder to verify people are who they say they are and requiring that face-to-face meetings occur in office environments,” says Serio. “There are going to be times, of course, when showing properties could lead to dangerous situations, but there are steps that can be taken to minimize those risks. And that’s what we try to teach our members about here at SCAOR.”
Education has always been a key component at SCAOR, both internally and externally. This includes educating homeowners on ways they can keep their neighborhoods safe, something SCAOR has advocated for many years.
During Realtor Safety Month in September, SCAOR offers the following tips to help recruit members into an effective watch program.
- Recruit with facts. Talk with your local police department and gather facts about crime in your community. Find out as much information as you can, including which crimes are the most common and if there are any noticeable patterns for the criminal behavior.
- Ease fears. Have a policeman come to your first meeting and explain to participants exactly what they will be doing and what is expected of them. For example, it’s not undercover work and participants will not be carrying guns. You will simply be looking for suspicious incidents and reporting them to the police.
- Assure potential participants. Promise neighbors that the time commitment is minimal. You don’t necessarily need to walk a beat, but it is a good idea to keep your eyes and ears open at all times and stay in contact with your friends and neighbors.
In the First State, the Delaware State Police (DSP) assists with creating and maintaining neighborhood watch programs. To learn more, contact the DSP at 302-739-5901.
To read more about issues related to Sussex County’s real estate industry, visit SCAOR’s website at www.scaor.com.
