IS IT JUST ME?

Today while working a recovery I realized how much people dont know and understand what it is we do and what we can do. I think people should be just as educated about this industry as we are. Instead of having shows about what we do as recovery agents how about teaching people who are going to have to deal with us what we really can and cant do. If I hear you cant just come into my house one more time......or your not a cop you cant do sh*t!! There should be a show that shows the differences between us and law enforcement and only that.

_________________
After all is said and done, more is said than done.



-X-
St. Louis, MO
FRN#2
Member of The C.B.C

I agree, Tim. We usually end up securing the property and calling in LE for backup if they are really adamant. Of course, we do sometimes warn them that once LE shows up the house will be searched and anyone there with a warrant, or any illegal items in the house will cause more arrests. I really love it when they are screaming this at us as the cops are telling them that we can .

A couple of days ago I was at the courthouse doing a bond and the officer that brought my guy over was telling him how we have so many more rights than they do and what we can do when a person misses court. We had some time to kill so we sat and swapped war stories. Most of his were goofs on the locals so I was loving it.

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Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

We totally agree with you, Tim, and understand your frustrations. We are attempting to address these concerns as we film our shows. We sincerely hope our shows will help viewers to understand:
** that more than 40,000 fugitives from justice are returned to the court system every year by recovery agents, at no cost to the taxpayer;
** that recovery laws vary in almost every state; and without consistent laws, recovery agents are encumbered in their work; and,
** the broad scope of powers given to the recovery agents by many states.
We are faced with a dilemma: If the show does not entertain the audience, they won't watch the program. We are carefully attempting to blend some of the above issues with the action. We are not doing this alone. We will be filming [only] professionals, to insure that we deliver acceptable content for both the bail recovery industry and the television viewer. Our shows are unscripted, and driven by the recovery agents we film. If those professionals bring these facts to light on-camera, these concerns will be addressed.
Rod Mitchell
Champion Entertainment
281-350-5506
www.bailskip.com
www.bailchix.com

Amen to that! I am on board for a show that will help instead of hinder what all of us do!

And Im not sure what they were thinking when thet put "Dogs" show on the air becuase all it has done is make people think that we are all just a big joke. How could we be taken seriously after watching a group of people like that?? That SOB has hurt our industry as well as all of thge wanna be's.

_________________
After all is said and done, more is said than done.



-X-
St. Louis, MO
FRN#2
Member of The C.B.C

Tim I know what you mean! After his show aired I must have gotten no less than 100 calls and still getting them from individuals wanting to be a "Bounty Hunter". I ask every single one of them why, when they mention Dog I tell them to call him.

Oh I hear ya. I had the same thing, even my friends ask me about it. I get pretty pissed when they call me DOG. You know, another good show idea..A show where you show the process. Like how your trained, how you found work, how you were rejected and why, kind of like a start to finish show. Then people could see how it all really works.

_________________
After all is said and done, more is said than done.



-X-
St. Louis, MO
FRN#2
Member of The C.B.C

I have signed on with Mr. Mitchell, and look forward to participating in his program. I too want to educate not just john doe citizen, but leo's and other CJ professionals as well. However, 1 cautionary note: We do NOT need to divulge our methods and tactics like Mr. Chapman does.

I cannot tell you how his show has professionally affected my apprehension rate. It has made my job MORE difficult, because now the fugitives are watching and learning.

Whenever I had a fugitive in custody, the normal first question is "how did you find me ?" My standard reply is this : "We are like magicians, we don't reveal our secrets".

The 2nd cautionary note: Politics: In my state, I have to be very careful about not being to outspoken about our broken CJ system, and have been warned not to bring attention to our rights...best to let a sleeping dog lie..is what the local mentality is here. We do have a system here, Yes, it does have problems, but certain parties here don't want our sheriff's and pd's forming new legislation against us. This is a real possibility if anyone in my state makes too many negative comments towards our current system.

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

I agree 100%. I have asked several LEOs if they know what going on with our industry and if they know the laws or even how our process works and most of them dont. If it is so important for us to be licensed and we have rules and regulations to follow then dont you think of all people LEOs should know what we can and cant do. It seems to me local LEOs need to be just as educated as the avergae citizen.

_________________
After all is said and done, more is said than done.



-X-
St. Louis, MO
FRN#2
Member of The C.B.C

And another thing I noticed. I dont like to use the term "Bounty Hunter" to describe my occupation but I happen to be going into the courthouse the other day and I placed my keys in the little bucket so I could go through the metal detector and I guess the sheriff noticed my handcuff key on my keychain and he said hold it. He asked if I was a police officer and I told him no, I am a Surety Recovery Agent he say, a what? I say a Surety Recovery Agent, a Bail Enforcement Agent and he still didnt get it so I refered to the term Bounty Hunter and of course then he gets it.!! It seems to me no matter how hard you try to be professional it seems you have to use the old terms and be a hard ass to get anyone to understand you and respect what you are doing.

_________________
After all is said and done, more is said than done.



-X-
St. Louis, MO
FRN#2
Member of The C.B.C