Is someone you know a Realtor? Are you selling your house or buying one? Safety should be top of mind after the recent murder of a real estate agent in Philadelphia.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office wants you to know about a resource they have put in place that is rarely used, but very important. It's called that Realtor Standby program. It's somewhat unique to MCSO, as the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office does not have a program in place.
However, since the program's inception about five years ago, only six Realtors have used it. Three cases were from this year alone.
Lisa Adams, a Realtor with Illustrated Properties, said the beauty in the service is that you can call en route to a showing
“It’s scary, and we all need to consider it in the business, even when we are busy,” she said.
Adams said she always locks the door until the people she is showing a property to arrive.
“It’s key to ask questions on the phone,” she said. “I make sure I have my phone with me at all times and generally try to keep the customer in front of me, and I won’t go in the rooms with them.”
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said the job comes with an element of danger. He’s trying to get Realtors to use the underutilized program run by his team. A deputy is dispatched to a showing when the real estate agent feels uncomfortable.
“A premonition, maybe a fear, for some reason —they can call the sheriffs office and we’ll dispatch a deputy,” he said.
The program protects the Realtor, the property, and the property owners.
“Listen to that inner voice that is giving you that goose bumpy feel or that the hair on the back of your neck is standing up,” he said.
Martin County law enforcement said in a true emergency, you should always call 911. Otherwise call the non-emergency number at 772-220-7000 to get a deputy to the property.