The Chapman Effect?

Notwithstanding previously covered topics regarding Mr. Chapman, I've come to notice an almost tangible difference in how my team and I are perceived on the streets.

Incidental to the topic of this thread, I would like offer my appreciation to Backtrack Fugitive Recovery (Northern California) and also Mr. James (San Joaquin Central Valley) who have all demonstrated outstanding performance and professional behavior during some recent and ongoing high-risk work, and, on the strength of my observations, I would feel comfortable suggesting that either agency be considered for contract work.

Recent efforts have placed me on the mean streets of lesser known California where I've encountered people from varying backgrounds and at all hours of the day and night. Interestingly, where before many people would be stand-offish after identifying myself as 'from the bail bond company,' now I'm finding more and more smiles (in some pretty funky areas) and attempts to engage me in casual and unrelated conversation about the trade.

In my opinion, this is a welcome change not considering whether or not my ability to get information is skewed. At one point, the specific area was down right dangerous, but people came out to joke and laugh about the skip in question but really wanted to know about bounty hunting in general.

Now, conversely, I had a bad bond that should have been quickly cleared up with the client via a Letter of Reinstatement, but the client had been watching Mr. Chapman's show and believed that my efforts were a trick to arrest him. Frankly, I had no intention of arresting him had he met with me, but now I will probably have to chase him down at some point.

The last point is that I'm noticing a strange interest from females while I'm out trying to enforce a civil contract. I make it very clear that my interest is a bail matter, and, again, because of Mr. Chapman's show, there is a strong interest compared to the pre-show era. In this case, I'm more likely to get help on new information.

I can't put my finger on the dynamics involved, but I am definately noticing a change however subtle or overt it may be depending on the people I'm talking to.

Is this effect isolated to Central California, or is it--whatever 'it' is--noticeable in other areas of the country as well?

Rex

I can attest to the fact that it is not just a California issue but, seems to be spreading across the nation. It is going to get alot worse for us trying to do our jobs and the Chapman's display of trickery in the public forum.

As always this is just my opinion.

This past weekend I had been assisting an Ohio Bondsman in locating a skip which had fled here to Indiana. EVERYONE I spoke to brought up Dog Chapman and we all had a big chuckle.

_________________
-The Solution-
Indiana Agency #: PI20700211
Indiana Notary Public - Exp: 12/20/13

"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath."
- Kingdom of Heaven

Even out here I get the same thing!

My personal opinion is that everyone now associates BEA's with "DOG".

Now as professionals we have to overcome that by ensuring that we are professional, courteous, and all state and federal laws are followed to a "T".


Not that most of us have not always done that, but now it is more important then ever for several reasons.

We are always in the public eye. There is always a reporter somewhere looking for a story to tell. I want to make sure that story is not about me!

We can overcome "DOG" like anything else it will pass but until it does good luck on the streets!! LOL.....

In the spirit of Mr. Pace's reply, I caught a recent news story wherein two bounty hunters in Modesto thought to suit up in a bank parking lot in plain view of bank patrons. The police were called and "came out of the bushes" once it was discovered that the two were getting ready to attempt a bail arrest. Despite the fact that the two failed to notify Modesto PD as required by law, no action was taken.

Here we have an example of what Mr. Pace and others on this forum mean by, "Now as professionals we have to overcome that by ensuring that we are professional, courteous, and all state and federal laws are followed to a 'T'."

Rex

I was finally able to talk my Ky bailskip into returning here to Alabama voluntarily and turn himself in, thereby exonerating my bondsman. But, in 1 of our conversations he asked if I was going to be like "Dog" and trick him. At this point during our negotiations he had not decided to turn himself in. He suspected a trap. I was honest with him, and finally convinced him to return, which he did.

So it is having an effect at least in my neck of the woods.

_________________
River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

You-know-who is, in my estimation, a pimple on the a-s-s of bail enforcement. Period!

_________________
Lance Allen Wilkinson
Recoveries by L.A.W.
Serving since 1984
“What is sought is found... what is overlooked escapes” (Oedipus Rex)

We are always getting asked to tell our adventures, even by LE in some places we go. And the women come on to my husband and his partner. I have seen a few do it in my presence but they back down when they see my "LOOK".

Dog has become synonymous with bounty hunter all over. Very few people don't ask about or mention him when they find out who we are. I have to admit, we have used some of the same tricks to get people in and were doing it long before the tv show came out. In this way it hurts us because people are becoming familiar and so skeptical with some of the things we do.

If we are hunting for someone elses skips we don't have as much of the honesty level as we do with someone I have bonded personally. A lot of the other bondsmen treat most everyone they have on bond as low life scum and no respect at all. They have tricked them in only to arrest them and collect the fee to rebond them, even when it could have been handled differently. That makes it even more difficult, especially when they tried to fix it the first time and messed up again. If someone calls me that they are unable to get to court either the day of or before they miss, I will do everything in my power to get them continued. Even if it's only a day or so after I will still try. If the court won't, I make arrangements to do a rebond. Of course this is with people that aren't really running, they just messed up. I want to make money like everyone else, but I get repeats and referrals because I am up front when I write the bond and up front when I deal with them afterwards. If I feel like they are pond scum bottom feeders who have no intentions of meeting the requirements of their bond, I leave them in jail to start with.

Kathy

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

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

Kathy,

You will have repeat business and word-of-mouth contacts because of the way you're doing business.

I just received a batch of new forfeitures, and I'm wondering if these people are fans of the show as well. While street contacts are much warmer, the bonds that should be telephone-fixed just are not happening.

Huh?

Rex