REALTOR SAFETY. Interview: Gary Tabke & Kevin Kauffman

Gary has an extensive background in Law Enforcement and as a Security Specialist.

Kevin – What is the number one common problem most people make concerning personal safety?

Gary – Situational Awareness. In general people go around not paying attention to their surroundings. People cannot go from Point A to Point B without looking at their phone because they are so reliant on them, thereby making themselves a target.

Take a Lioness on the Serengeti, she’s hungry and looking to get food in the fastest way possible with as little trouble as possible so she looks for the weak, the sick, and the young. Criminals are the same way – they don’t want you to resist or fight and are surprised when you do. They want to get away quickly, they know what works, and that’s why they do what they do. Our lives brush up against criminals daily so Situational Awareness - keeping your head on a swivel - is a huge part of personal safety.

Discussion of the Beverly Carter Crime

Kevin – What was it that caught your attention about this particular crime?

Gary – The whole totality of the crime and how it went down starting with a female caller posing as a Buyer and wanted to see a home in the late afternoon/early evening. No red flags here as this happens all the time. Agents get calls all the time to show homes to strangers at odd hours. So I questioned if this was a unique situation or is this happening on a large scale. NAR had statistic for over a ten-year period and reported that 100 agents (10 per year, almost 1 a month) were killed while performing their duties and 940 assaults were reported although many go unreported.

Kevin – How much time did it take to research and develop your training?

Gary – Countless hours and my research continues every day. I spent a summer going to open houses and entering very quietly. I was astounded at how easy it was to catch an agent unaware. I teach how to perform a perimeter check on vacant homes, open house safety – example do not lead a Buyer through a home with your back to them.

Kevin – recaps open house safety, vacant home entry, perimeter checks.

Gary – yes, these are real simple things an agent should add to their repertoire to keep themselves safe.

Kevin – how long is the course you teach to Realtors?

Gary – About 75 to 90 minutes; it covers pre-planning, creating a safe work environment, situational awareness, improvised weapons (cellphone for one), and quick exit self-defense. Q & A as I make myself available for discussion.

Kevin – What if the 1.2 million Realtors took your course;  what do you think the percentage of crimes would be decreased?

Gary – Possibly 75% but there are no guarantees but if we are inherently safer there would be less crimes. (Discussion of showing a home with basements and not having your back to a Buyer.)

Kevin – We can make a difference in our own safety and that of our peers. How can someone reach out to you for training?

Gary – on Facebook, Instagram, gmail, and through my have a website.

Gary – in closing, criminals mimic other criminals so again, Situational Awareness is crucial in keep agents safe. It’s also good business for Brokers to keep your people safe and it’s also smart business to limit liability in the event of an unfortunate incident. Bring in a safety expert and keep a good record of trainings.

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