Implement safety steps to prevent drug thefts

When an older couple showed up at her open house just 10 minutes before closing time, Realtor® Linda Johnson was happy that the day wasn’t a complete loss. The personable couple introduced themselves, signed in and the man proceeded to detail their daughter’s divorce and their visit from Florida to help her look for a new home. As he continued to explain their situation, the woman ran upstairs to look at the bedrooms, while Johnson listened to the couple’s woes. After showing them the rest of the house, the couple said they’d return in the next few days with their daughter. Johnson, a Realtor® for nearly 20 years, was shocked when the homeowner, who was recovering from a recent surgery, called her because all of her prescription pain medication was gone when she returned to the house.

“I felt absolutely horrible,” Johnson recalls. “We immediately called the police and I gave them all the information about the couple, which was bogus information. The entire experience has changed how I conduct open houses.”

Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming more common. Realtor® Ray McKinney was recently asked by the Delaware County District Attorney to serve on a Heroin Task Force. He said he was asked to represent the real estate industry on the task force because prescription drug thefts are rising and the high street value for some medications lures people to steal them.

“I think many Realtors® believe everyone’s intent is honorable,” McKinney, a Realtor® for 38 years said. “We have to educate ourselves that that might not always be the case. We need to expand our awareness.”

McKinney spearheaded a program aimed at educating Realtors® at the Suburban West Realtors® Association (SWRA). It’s one of the first of its kind and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from Realtors®.

Kathy McQuilkin, chair of SWRA, said, “As brokers and agents, it’s important to spread the word, educate our consumers and help them protect their homes when we list their property. This program helps us understand how people may take advantage of these situations.”

McKinney advises Realtors® to take several steps to help prevent drug thefts:

• Conduct open houses in pairs. Criminals are less likely to steal items when more than one agent is in the open house.
• Keep prospectives together. When showing a house, insist people stay together.
• Ask for identification. Have guests sign in and ask them to show their identification. When implementing an identification plan, you must require everyone to show ID.
• Educate your client. Have them remove or lock up all prescription medications.
• Don’t allow anyone to have access to a home without you. It’s become more common for thieves to impersonate professionals like inspectors or appraisers in order to gain access to a home.
• Sharpen your awareness. Confirm e-showings and make sure they’re legitimate.
• Report any incidents to the police.
• If it seems suspicious, trust your instincts.

“As Realtors®, it’s important that we be aware of how people can take advantage of these situations,” McKinney added. “By implementing a few safety steps, we can help prevent drug thefts in the future.”

For more information about the Drug Theft Prevention program, contact SWRA CEO Anne Marie Matteo.