In our office meeting this morning, we discussed agent safety. It is pretty common sense stuff, but it is good the remind ourselves that we are in one of the most potentially dangerous businesses because we meet people we do not know in sometimes less than safe environments on a regular basis.
One of our agents stepped forward to reiterate how important those tips are and shared with us that she was very certain she came very close to being a victim this past week. In showing a listing she set multiple appointments to meet potential buyers at a vacant home. The first group was just leaving when the 2nd party showed up. He was a rather unsavory looking man, and the first group offered to hang around for her. They did for about 10 minutes out in the front yard but then left. The minute they drove off the man closed the front door and blocked the agent’s path to leave. Unfortunately her cell phone died just minutes before, but the man did not know that. The agent moved to open the door and he made a move to stop her. She then dialed 911 on her phone and faked the call. He stepped aside and she escaped. However, she was very rattled. Coincidentally the following came across my email today. I think it is important enough to post it for everyone’s benefit.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT INFO!! Please read and stay safe
A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF MICHIGAN :
Warning # 1
While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I saw an
infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it.
For whatever reason, I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of thoughts
running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I called the
Canton PD and they were going to check it out. But, this is what the Police
advised even before they went out there to check....
"There are several things to be aware of ... gangs and thieves are now
plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women) to stop their vehicle
and get out of the car.
"There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police Department where
gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby in it....waiting
for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned baby.
"Note that the location of this car seat is usually beside a wooded or
grassy (field) area and the person -- woman -- will be dragged into the
woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead. If it's a man, they're
usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.
DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON!!! DIAL 9-1-1 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON 'T EVEN SLOW DOWN.
"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD, DO NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%, AND YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS.
THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND
RELATIVES.
THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES AND THESE ARE UNSAVORY INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET WHAT THEY WANT."
Please talk to your loved ones about this. This is a new tactic used. Please
be safe.
WARNING # 2
Some knew about the red light on cars, but not the 112.
It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a
friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on.
Lauren's parents have always told her never to pull over for an unmarked car
on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station,
etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parent’s advice, and promptly called 112
on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over
right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked
police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The
dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there
weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back
up already on the way.
Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her.
One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind.
They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was
a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone feature, but especially for a woman
alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently
police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe place.
*Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112
was a direct link to State trooper info. So, now it's your turn to let your
friends know about 112.
You may want to send this to every woman (and man) you know; it may save a
life.
This applies to ALL 50 states
PLEASE PASS ALONG TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, IT CAN SAVE A LIFE....
# posted by
Viki Benbow @ 12:02 PM
