The recent murder of Ashley Oakland in West Des Moines, Iowa has really re-enforced my belief in how social media policies need to include rules/suggestions on the use of ‘locator’ software such as Foursquare. Though in the case of Ashley, there isn’t the suggestion that it had anything to do with her murder, that may not be true of other situations. I turn faint when I see a beautiful female agent check in to her office at 9:30 pm, when I know that the office is out in the middle of no where with no one around. Why does anyone need to know this information? Is a Broker responsible to her family if she is harmed in any way while she is in their office alone? Are there rules in place for someone who is in an office after hours, such as having doors locked, not answering the phone, not answering the door, and perhaps process the comings and goings through use of a scan card rather than a key so that agents you leave no longer can have access to the building since you can quickly change the scan card code. Many companies have the agent meet the client at the office for at least the first time so that the buyer/seller/consumer can have a copy of their drivers license made before being shown the home. Some Brokers are shocked to find that the consumer certainly understands this and is willing to make the effort. It’s simply a case of educating the public.
In light of Ashley’s death, I’d like to suggest that all Model Homes have a surveillance camera installed so that someone can monitor the comings and goings at that model. If there had been that in place, the police would at least have a clue as to what happened in that model home and who was there. Those cameras should be outside the front door and inside as well.
A company in California has a fabulous site: www.oncalldefender.com. It is an app for the iphone currently but promises to serve all smart phones soon. The app allows for medical emergency and also for safety emergency. A REALTOR(R) would load the app, sign up for the 24/7 on call security system and then keep the app on their phone which would be in their hand at all times during showings, open houses, etc. If there was an emergency, simply tap the screen 3 times and the call goes out to the police. There are many times that this app could have saved lives of agents who were caught in these situations.
Review your office policy and procedures manual to determine if you are protecting the safety of your agents. Our office policy and procedures manual covers some of these safety steps which can be a beginning point for you!
