WANNABE?

I am somewhat bufuddled by the casual use of the "Wannabe" slang term routinely used to make a derogatory reference about or towards another person who is either looking into or actively working the bail fugitive recovery trade.

The most common subject matter concerning the "Wannabe" label is when the user of the term is describing another who utilizes cop-like methodology when dealing with bail bond skips.

One must be cautioned in using such a term since the platform used to launch such criticism may stand to a rebuttal of urging the issuer to first pursue self-reflective reasoning. What I mean by this is that some of us are introduced into this obscure trade out of necessity while others are drawn to the trade by WANT.

In 1992, my father, who was ailing from a heart condition, telephoned me with a request to help clean up his forfeiture list. I didn't know a thing about bail or bail recovery at the time, but my father needed me; hence, my introduction was that of necessity. Intrigued, I continued with the work, which led to my own bail bond company and my own forfeiture list.

It is my belief that falling prey to unfounded comments leaves one open to being essentially hamstrung out of fear of being labeled a "Wannabe."

Are we to stop using handcuffs and body armor because cops use these safety tools? How many BEAs use raid jackets and badges irrespective of what these identifiers say? Does one go out of his or her way to avoid being professional out of fear of being labeled a "Wannabe who is trying to act like a cop." Of course not, but those impersonating cops should be dealt with by the authorities in my view.

Let's face it. Cops have had decades to perfect the tools that they use in dealing with keeping the peace. The tools--handcuffs, body armor, radios, firearms & etceteras--are tried and true, and we would be remiss to discount their usefullness in our own trade.

One can even argue that because one is even in the trade questions arise about whether or not the flinging of the "Wannabe" label should be self-reflective.

Frankly, I enjoy my work, and sitting in an office full-time is more of a nightmare than anything else. We should all strive to be as professional as is possible while preserving our safety and the safety of those we come into contact with; hence, the use of safety tools commonly associated with sworn law enforcement.

Lastly, casting out aspersions that can richochet is counter-productive to us all, and it is my hope that one thinks carefully before summarily judging one a "Wannabe" absent being privy to all the facts to include introspective forethought; indeed, if we are to grow as a respectable community then it must follow that we should endeavor to respect those contemporaries who are doing the job right, albeit differently than how we might approach the same case.

Rex

REX WHILE YOU AND I SEE THRU THE SAME EYE MOST OF THE TIME MAYBE WE DIFFER HERE-I MY OPINION WANNABES EXSIST IN JUST ABOUT EVERY TRADE- IN BEA FOR EXAMBLE I LABEL A WANNABE AS SOMEONE NOT WILLING TO PAY HIS OR HERS DUES-SOMEONE WHO BUYS A BADGE A JACKET MAYBE A GUN MOST OF THE TIME THEY DO NOT EVEN TAKE A TRAINING COURSE THEN THEY GO OUT AND UNDERCUT US TO PENNY PINCHING BONDSMEN AND TRY TO PICK UP SKIPS-THESE PEOPLE ARE DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC AND OUR PROFESSION-THESE WANNABES NEED TO BE ELIMINATED BY LAW IE LICENSEING INSURANCE ETC.YOU AND I SPENT MANY LONG HOURS PAYING OUR DUES AND PERFECTING OUR CRAFT AS DID MANY OF OUR FELLOW BEAS-THE INFLUX OF TV WANNABES HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE-THIS IS NOT A JOB FOR A BUTCHER, BAKER, OR CANDLE STICK MAKER IT IS A JOB FOR A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS HONED HIS SKILLS WITH TIME AND EFFORT AND SOMETIMES BLOOD.I DO NOT SAY FRESH PEOPLE ARE NOT WELCOME I SAY UNTRAINED WANNABES ARE UNWELCOME UNWANTED AND SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED BY BEA OR BONDSMEN-ONLY WHEN WE HAVE THE POWER TO POLICE OUR OWN RANKS WILL WE BE ABLE TO CONTROL OUR DESTINY AND OUR FATE AS BEA-BY THE WAY I AM AS PROUD OF THE TERM BEA AS WHEN I WAS CALLED POLICE DETECTIVE -BOTH ARE SOURCES OF PRIDE-ANYBODY SOILING THAT TERM SOILS ME THAT IS WHY I CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR LICENSING(WITH RECIPROSITY IN ALL STATES)PRISON TERMS FOR UNLICENESD BEAS -MANDATED CONTINUING ED HOURS YEARLY-BETTER INTERAGENCY COOPERATION AND FEDERAL RECIGNITION ONLY THEN WE WE BE ABLE TO SAY THE WAR IS WON WE HAVE ARRIVED-AGAIN I SAY BONDSMEN ALSO NEED TO BE EDUCATED AND SHOULD BE MADE TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HIRING AND USING UNLICENSED PERSONEL.

Hgunner,

Complete devotion notwithstanding the difficulties that may arise, you and I are independent thinkers, and it is a forgone conclusion that, from time to time, our individual views may vary on a given topic; however, I fail to see this product concerning this topic; indeed, we are actually on the same, proverbial page of music here.

The point I was making is that one should look closely at his or herself before making a blanket statement that may or may not carry any weight.

I believe your reply did what my orignal post did not: your reply went a step further and defined a "Wannabe."

Like yourself, I have been exposed to ill-trained persons running around in such a way that traveling in their perspective wakes has been a source of patch-up work with various jurisdictions.

Generally speaking, bondsmen in my area do everything conceivable to cut corners and save dollars. I know who they are, but the new people do not; consequently, they (new people) eventually get burned.

Crooked bondsmen take advantage of the new people because the established BEAs don't put up with their behavior. In my book, "Follow Me" Applied Theories For The Modern-Day Bounty Hunter, I cover this subject in reasonable detail.

Recall from earlier posts, that the "Wannbe" term appeared to be liberally tossed around without any notion of long-term consequences or prima facie evidence. If a anti-BEA politician were to browse a site filled with allegations of "Wannabeisms," then it may stand to reason that a person finding such negative consistencies might arrive at the conclusion that the trade must be filled with "Wannabes," which may even erroneously include you and I.

We, you and I, are former law enforcement, and we have been around providing a good bail fugitive recovery service for a long time, so being labled a "Wannabe" would not be justified.

Like yourself, I too have high regard for those highly trained, licensed (where applicable) professionals out there doing the job right, and I can assure you that the law enforcement personnel in my bail recovery past are left with a positive impression of how the work should be done.

I believe that we are making strides, albeit small ones, towards creating a more positive image for the BEA doin it right by entering into what I consider, productive discussions.

For the record, it is illegal for a bail agent in California to enter into a business arrangement with a felon other than posting bail; moreover, "Any person who...hires an individual to apprehend a bail fugitive, knowing that the individual is not authorized...is guilty of a misdemeanor..." California Penal Code Section 1299.11

Unfortunately, this law has not taken hold in all areas, and bail agents are still hiring "Wannabes" to undercut the professionals--like you said.

Rex

Yes a wanna-be does exsist in all trades. For instance all my life I wanted to be a Seal. Until the day I went to training and up through I was a wanna-be. I think all our live we want to be something or atleast better at it.

barkinshark,

It isn't clear who your addressing in your reply.

If I understood your reply, you are a wannabe SEAL, or you made it and are no longer wannabe SEAL?

If it is the latter and as a bail bond company owner, I would be interested in reviewing your resume for future consideration on cases that land in your AO.

Rex

All of you guys who have Posted here are Probably tried and true believers in the BEA trade and that is what it takes to be a Professional in this business. Let us not lose ourselves in the words "wannabe" focus, strict tried and true Professionlism in this trade is ALL that is needed, me Personally, I wil do what needs to be done, weather it's wearing LE type equipment or acting like a LE, IF you do what you do in the most Professional way and in accordance with the applicable laws of your state, you can't lose.


Thank you

Pennsylvania Professional Bail Bondsman
License number 5000121

I'm a "wanna-be" millionare... aint there yet, but I sure WANNA BE... heck I'd even settle for a half a millionare!

Sorry couldn't resist.

We are all "wanna-be"s in some form or another... wanna be rich, wanna be famous, wanna be happy, wanna be Jessica Alba's bootycall, etc etc...

I must say though, for purposes of this forum, I am agreeing with Hadley and Rex on the definition of wanna be as used in this context and vote that it should be the generally accepted definition of the term henceforth!

LOL.

on a side note though I do think that some people have been just throwing that term out to apply to anyone whos methods or opinions they do not personally agree with.

_________________
-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

"We are all "wanna-be"s in some form or another... wanna be rich, wanna be famous, wanna be happy, wanna be Jessica Alba's bootycall, etc etc... "

--thebishopp

Good Lord, Don! Your point is well taken, but allow me to break out an asthma inhaler to clear my lungs after laughing so hard!

Do you have any idea how tough it was to get the coffee droplets out of my keyboard after opening one of your other posts!

Ooops, I lost my train of thought....

Rex

LOL, thanks Rex.

I do try to insert some humor into my posts... I remember being told a long time ago something about bee's and honey, or was it fly's and 'feces'? LOL.

In anycase this type of format for communications lends itself easily to miscommunications and misunderstandings. It is hard to read if a post is meant sarcastically, sardonically (and any other sars I forgot), humorously, etc. So I like to throw in a joke or two (I've been trying to stay away from puns, my friends groan when I use them).

Of course sometimes my opinions themselves can be somewhat laughable LOL.

_________________
-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