Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Slain Realtor's Family to Sue Real Estate Firm

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/slain_realtor_family_sues_firm_ZNE8A63j0xXBAFvuLytUhP


Slain Realtor's family sues firm

By JENNIFER KEIL

Last Updated: 7:35 AM, November 5, 2009

Posted: 2:58 AM, November 5, 2009

Real-estate agent to the stars Linda Stein would be alive today if the firm she worked for had done a background check on the young woman hired as a personal assistant, who now stands accused of murdering the celebrity agent, a lawsuit claims.

Stein's daughters filed the suit in Manhattan Supreme Court, accusing the real-estate firm, Douglas Elliman, and employment agency, Axion, of failing to screen assistant Natavia Lowery -- and then having her work out of Stein's Fifth Avenue home.


Lowery allegedly bludgeoned Stein to death on Oct. 30, 2007 after she claims the real-estate agent unleashed a verbal tirade at her.


The suit was filed last week by Stein's daughters, Samantha Wells and Mandy Stein, as well as Stein's estate. The wrongful-death lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.

MY COMMENTS:

As a safety expert who specializes in real estate agent safety and one who has a 1-hour program and a 3-hour CE program, I value education. Therefore, I see a major issue with real estate sales offices that do not conduct background checks on employees and staff. The Managers and Brokers need to be educated on keeping their offices safe. I have a program that can help with that since I am a resource.

What is your office doing to ensure the safety of the agents and the staff? Are they doing enough? What would you change?

Safety and Security Source in the News

View my interviews with the local, (Kansas City), media in repsonse to a couple of "stranger" rapes. I discuss safety tips and safety and security products.


NBC Channel 41 news:

Women Seek Protection After Waldo Rapes

Updated 10/13 11:11 pm
After two rapes in two weeks in Kansas City’s Waldo neighborhood, women are arming themselves with protection.
Recent Rapes Prompt Personal Safety Reminder

KC Police Starting Monthly Safety Seminars

Updated 10/16 4:36 pm
Safety information and training are available at monthly seminars beginning in November. Waldo-area merchants are also holding the first of 2 safety information meetings this weekend, provided by Safety and Security Source.

ABC Channel 9 video 5:00 a.m. news interview:
http://www.kmbc.com/video/21304085/index.html

Waldo Rapes Prompt Personal Safety Awareness
Waldo Rapes Prompt Personal Safety Awareness. As police step up patrols in the Waldo area after two recent rapes, two events are scheduled to promote personal safety. Tracey Hawkins, who runs Safety...
Article: http://www.kmbc.com/news/21303599/detail.html

Oct 15, 2009
Personal Safety Events Set After Waldo Rapes
Personal Safety Events Set After Waldo Rapes. KMBC's Jana Corrie talks with safety expert Tracey Hawkins. ...
Video: http://www.kmbc.com/video/21304085/index.html

Oct 15, 2009
Serial Rapist May Be Targeting Waldo Area
Tracey Hawkins said the best way to protect yourself is to have a plan, such as using the panic button on your car keys to make noise and scare away an attacker. But you need to formulate the plan when...
Article: http://www.kmbc.com/news/21284424/detail.html

FOX 4 News

Police Investigate Connection Between Burglary And Waldo Rapist
http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-waldo-rapist-101609,0,7309713.story
Safety and Security Source is holding two free safety seminars in the Waldo area. The first is Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Waldo Pizza. The second is October 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Gaf.
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Police: One Man Responsible for Two Waldo Rapes
http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-waldo-rapes-story-101309,0,5925650.story
Click here for safety tips from safety consultant Tracey Hawkins.

After Waldo Rapes, Expert Says Preparedness Key
After Waldo Rapes, Expert Says Preparedness Key. With two rapes in the past two weeks in Waldo, those at a seminar given by a safety expert were all ears Tuesday night. Tracy Hawkins told people at the...
Article: http://www.kctv5.com/news/21291915/detail.html

CBS Channel 5 News

Safety Tips Easy In Wake Of Waldo Rapes
Safety Tips Easy In Wake Of Waldo Rapes. With two rapes in the past two weeks in Waldo, those at a seminar given by a safety expert were all ears Tuesday night. ...
Video: http://www.kctv5.com/video/21292716/index.html


After Waldo Rapes, Expert Says Preparedness Key
After Waldo Rapes, Expert Says Preparedness Key. With two rapes in the past two weeks in Waldo, those at a seminar given by a safety expert were all ears Tuesday night. Tracy Hawkins told people at the...
Article: http://www.kctv5.com/news/21291915/detail.html



Thank you and be safe! Tracey Hawkins, “Tracey, the Safety Lady”

Safety and Security SourceSafety Trainer/Safety Product Expert and Owner October is:- National Crime Prevention Month- Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Schedule your programs TODAY!!!816-372-0939816-941-4543 Fax traceyhawkins@safetyandsecuritysource.com www.safetyandsecuritysource.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

This past Sunday, a real estate agent in North Carolina was raped while showing homes to a "client". Could you be victimized, as well?

Read the full story on the Real Estate Agent Safety Forum group news page at Linked In:

http://www.linkedin.com/newsArticle?viewDiscussion=&articleID=66180116&gid=2022992

Please join the group while there. Or, read the news article at www.safetyandsecuritysource.com

Ironically, September is Real Estate Agent Safety Month. This agent was successful in doing what she needed to do to survive; she is to be commended for that!

It is an unfortunate wake-up call that there are bad guys (and gals) out there willing to prey upon innocent and hardworking agents. It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter what the price levels of the homes that you show. You have to take extra measures to protect yourself in this high-risk line of work. The recession makes people desperate, as well.

I make a living training agents to take some of the danger out of their jobs. I just completed the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors orientation, I recently returned from Lincoln (Nebraska) Association of Realtors and am heading to the St. Louis (Missouri) Association of Realtors next week to share safety information. If you have heard me, share your feedback and comments about the program. Contact me to get your office or Association scheduled.

A 3-hour CE class is now available. It covers retail, residential safety issues from screening to showing techniques to hosting safe open houses and more. It also covers REO/Foreclosure specific safety issues, FSBO safety (and listing) information and helps you help neighbors keep their neighborhoods safe. This is the most comprehensive, industry specific class available. I have a 1-hour non-credit class, too.

Safety tip of the week:

CITO (Come Into The Office)- Have your “clients” meet you at your office before showing them properties. Tell them it is office or agent policy (if it isn’t it should be a strong suggestion by Brokers/Managers). Have them fill out a Client Information Form and get a copy of their I.D. Make sure they know that you are leaving that information in your office with another agent or the receptionist. Explain to them that it is simply a safety procedure for your office just in case something happens and an agent doesn’t come back on time. Let them know that someone knows where you are (leave an itinerary form or MLS printout, as well) and whom you are with. That immediately puts them on notice that you will be missed if you don’t show up when expected and that law enforcement officials will have their picture and know who you are with. If you change plans while showing, let them see you contact your office (or someone) and give them the updated information, location and new arrival times.

Would-be criminals typically will not go to these measures if they aren’t really interested in buying a house. They are looking for an easy victim. If someone objects when you say your office has safety rules that you need to follow, you need to question their motives.

SHARE whether or not your office or Association is hosting a safety program this month. What is the safety advice that has had the most impact on you and that you have found most effective regarding your job that you have received?