PPAR Member Robbed – Reminds of REALTOR Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clarissa Arellano
633-7718 ext. 104
carellano@ppar.org
Michele Van Metre
633-7718 ext. 114
mvanmetre@ppar.org
MEMBER SAFETY ALERT:
PPAR REALTOR® AND CLIENT ROBBED AT GUNPOINT
Colorado Springs, CO (April 1, 2017)- In an effort to promote the safety of its members and their clients, The Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS® (PPAR) issues the following safety advisory.
Earlier this month, a PPAR Member and a client were robbed at gunpoint while viewing properties. Details of the incident fall in line with a string of robberies throughout the Colorado Springs area and the investigation is ongoing. We ask that for your safety please be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. We all become complacent and do not think anything can happen.
As a real estate agent, you are vulnerable to harassment, robbery at gunpoint, kidnapping and even murder. According to an annual survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) – 40% of REALTORS® say they have been in a work-related situation that made them fear for their safety. The PPAR member involved in the incident has shared the story in an effort to help fellow REALTORS® and consumers.
A few safety tips to consider:
- Please note that this is not specific to REALTORS®, it can happen to anyone.
- Remain calm and quickly assess the situation.
- Criminals are usually in a rush to commit their crime and cannot multi-task. Speak calmly; it keeps their minds occupied.
- Remember that money and possessions are NOT worth the risk of life. If that is all they want, give it to them. You can replace possessions, but cannot replace a life.
- If assailant(s) attempt to harm you then you have no choice but to FIGHT for your life.
- Remember as many details as you can and call 911 as soon and as safely able to do so.
REALTOR® Safety is of utmost importance as is the safety of our clients; as such, we would encourage brokerages to put procedures in place not only for their offices, but also for their agents. “Ask your broker if the office security procedures are up to date, need to revised or need to be written,” said Adrian Manzanares, an instructor for REALTOR® Safety for PPAR. “A safety plan needs to be created in each office and practiced periodically to keep the routines in mind.” NAR has a wide variety of safety tips and information available at https://www.nar.realtor/topics/realtor-safety. PPAR is offering a REALTOR® Safety Course, taught by Adrian Manzanares on July 25, 2017. For additional information, please visit PPAR.ORG.
PPAR, founded in 1902, represents over 3,300 REALTORS® and affiliates in the Pikes Peak Region. For more information about PPAR visit www.ppar.com.