The National Association of REALTORS® has put together a team of concerned Realtors and media to bring attention, education and solutions to the nationwide problem of agent safety in the field.

The Realtor Safety Initiative Team’s task is to brainstorm, share resources, and provide materials to the NAR in what will be an ongoing safety awareness campaign which will culminate in an annual Realtor Safety Week.

"Our new campaign for Realtor safety is a great example of how state, local and national Realtor organizations work together to address issues important to the Realtor on the street,” says NAR president Cathy Whatley. “Realtor safety is too important to be left to a single organization. We've put a great team together and given them the resources they need to succeed."

Headed by Bob Goldberg, senior vice president, marketing and business development for the NAR, the Realtor Safety Initiative Team also includes:

• Steve Cook, NAR Public Affairs, Washington, C.D.
• Chris Kaucnik, NAR Chicago, managing director, marketing communications and promotions
• Kim Chapin DiGangi, NAR Chicago, manager, marketing promotions and communications
• Leslie Cummings, NAR staff, publications, Chicago
• Lennox Scott, Seattle King County Association of REALTORS, , Bellevue, WA. William Powers, Phoenix Association of REALTORS, Phoenix, AZ.
• Jan Lloyd, Orange County Association of REALTORS, San Clemente, CA.
• Henry Norman, Athens Area Association of REALTORS, Athens, GA.
• Pili Meyers, Washington Association of REALTORS, Port Angeles, WA.
• Barbara Conrad, Coldwell Banker Legacy, Los Lunas, NM; 505/865-5500
• Gino Chirio, Maddock Douglas, Elmhurst, IL; 630/279-3939
• Karen Smith, Elkhart County Board of REALTORS®, Goshen, IN.
• Jodi Brown, North Puget Sound Association of REALTORS®, Burlington, WA.
• Blanche Evans, Realty Times, Dallas, TX

“September 14 – 20, 2003 has been officially designated REALTOR Safety Week,” says Goldberg. “The week will be formally launched in advance with promotions before, during and after to ensure that this important issue stays top of mind for our members.”

The issue of safety has taken on renewed urgency as 2002 turned out to be a dangerous year for some Realtors. Among the many stories which disturbed the NAR and its members - a Washington state Realtor was murdered during a showing, and Texas Realtors were robbed and beaten during open houses held in Dallas.

Explains Goldberg, “Every year we send orientation kits to all 1600 boards for the purpose of providing information to new members and existing members. Last year we produced a safety video geared to Realtors. That was our first foray into raising awareness, and we know that our associations are actively showing the video to members. As a result of that positive experience, the idea was born to turn safety awareness into an ongoing campaign and to bring a real focus to it during a Realtor Safety Week.”

Goldberg says that the Realtor Safety Week, while an annual event, is only one of many initiatives that will keep the issue front and center all the time. In addition to publicizing safety tips, NAR will also collect data, says Goldberg, and help law enforcement with trends analysis as it looks for patterns of behavior or new methods of operation that could result in the apprehension of suspects who harm or threaten Realtors.

Among items that will be looked into by the Realtor Safety Team are safety booklets, products, and information-sharing. In addition to intense media coverage promised by Realtor Magazine and Realty Times, over 600,000 NAR members can also be e-mailed alerts in the event of an attack on any Realtor. The team will also look into developing a safety Web page for Realtor.org so members can have online access to news and advice at all times.

”Unlike some of our other initiatives,” says Goldberg, “this is a faucet that needs to be turned on all the time.”

Published: March 12, 2003

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