DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -

Because of what industry veterans are calling an unusual amount of violence in conjunction with the recovery process during the past 12 months, Ron Brown recently advised members of Time Finance Adjusters about the dangers of picking up vehicles nowadays.

“Shootings, stabbings and hit-and-runs are becoming commonplace,” Brown declared.

“The risk to asset recovery specialists, recovery agents and repossession agents, or whatever they choose to call themselves has become a stark reality,” he emphasized. “These violent actions should serve as an alert to the men and women in our industry. Do not ignore the precautions necessary to ensure your safety.”

Brown, a former TFA chairman and CIA agent who has been involved with the repossession industry for decades, offered a half dozen tips so recovery agents can be better prepared if a violent act is about to occur.

—Awareness Through Observance: “Keep the mental edge, stay alert and stay ready,” Brown recommended. “This awareness must encompass 360 degrees, front, sides, rear and both near and far.”

—Plan Your Actions: “Constantly play the ‘what-if game,’” Brown suggested “What will I do if this happens? By playing out these scenarios ahead of time you will react faster if the real thing does occur. Know what evasive or protective action you will take and respond quickly to any hostile action.”

—Keep Yourself and Equipment in Good Condition: Brown thinks agents’ physical condition and reactive speed “just might save a life.” He added the condition of equipment from gloves to hooks is invaluable, too. “Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you,” Brown stressed.

—Do Not Be Lulled into “Voluntary Surrender Slumber:” Brown emphasized the nature of the assignment does not dictate the level of risk. “A voluntary surrender can go sour in an instant. You must stay alert and maintain awareness on all assignments,” he recommended.

—Communicate Effectively: Brown told repo agents they should be able to communicate with all concerned parties in a professional and understandable manner. “You must be able to use your ability to communicate to diffuse potential volatile situations,” Brown stressed. “You should have a complete knowledge of neurolinguistic power words, how they work and when to use them. Many communications are non-verbal and you must understand body language as many of the people you encounter will display non verbal leakage of pending violence

—Never Relax: In closing his tip list, Brown believes the time repo agents can breathe deep is “when you are about 10 miles down the road. Do not relax while you are in the presence of the consumer or any other person that you do not know. Just because things appear to be going your way, do not let your guard down. Stay alert and stay alive.”

Brown said that expanded versions of these recommendations often are available during TFA’s annual convention as a part of the Confrontational Avoidance Techniques Program (CAT).

Brown reiterated that “Ultimately we must realize our business is one which creates the scenario for the possibility of violence. There is nothing we can do to remove this potential for violence. However, there is plenty we can do to mitigate the risk.

“Maintain your awareness though your observance skills, develop good communication skills, stay mentally and physically strong and at the end of your day or night, go home safe,” Brown concluded.