Placer County Real-Estate Professionals Taking Precautions After Arkansas Realtor's Murder
PLACER COUNTY (CBS13) — Real-estate professionals are taking precautions after an agent in Arkansas was attacked and killed while at work.
Police say someone kidnapped Beverly Carter while she worked, then killed her and dumped the body.
In Placer County, real estate agents learned how to protect themselves on the job.
"It's staggering when you think about it, what a frequent target our members are," said Placer County Association of Realtors President John Hughes.
In a violent situation, he says, Realtors need to act quickly.
"Unfortunately we're in a position where we can easily be put in a situation that is very uncomfortable for us," he said.
Real-estate broker Candice Bradley says she never shows a home without a safety plan in place.
"I have wasp spray because its not illegal, and if I do feel threatened its something that I can turn to," she said.
Hughes recommends all agents carry some kind of protection, and to use the buddy system when showing a home or holding an open house.
"The last thing they are prepared for is somebody to immediately react and do something to them. and that second of catching them off guard can be the second you need to break away," he said.
Some agents are taking safety a step further and protecting themselves with a concealed weapon.
