The reality of Bail Bonds television

http://technorati.com/entertainment/tv/ ... elevision/

The writer did make a couple of mistakes (calling Dog a Bail Bond Agent, for example), but also pointed out some very accurate points, including that reality shows are hurting the overall profile of the industry, sensationalizing the business, etc. I found it interesting she said that there's a sharp uptick in enrollment at bail bonds and fugitive recovery training schools, which makes sense considering not only that people are seeing these shows and getting a false sense of excitement (hey, at least some of them are seeking education instead of going cowboy). I know I get calls regularly each month asking if I'm hiring, if I know of schools in the area, etc.

What do you think?

There is a bail bond company out here in California that, to a large degree, breaks the mold. They have a couple YouTube videos and a hour-long show they did for Swedish television. One of the YouTube videos is from a TV show hosted by rapper Ice-T and the narrative gets a little off but the clip is pretty cool and fairly realistic. The Swedish show, except for the 70s cop show intro and a line or two about getting crooks off the street, is very realistic and unsensationalized. They aren't tac'd out while hunting and they are upfront about the number of bonds they do, and those they don't, as well as how many actually skip. Check 'em out at Repetti.com.

_________________
Tom Duprey
Founding member, NABBI (Nat'l Assoc. of Bail Bond Inv.)
Ca. Bail Agent Lic#1845795
Owner/Operator, Thomas Duprey Bail Bonds
Owner/Operator, Orange County Bounty
(714) 727-4689

I for one am tired of apologizing for and trying to explain the things people see on "reality" television shows about the bail bond industry. If cameras are present the "show" ends up taking precedent over professional and responsible fugitive recovery efforts. I submit while calm and deliberate recovery operations may not make good television, they benefit the bail bond industry more than needlessly flamboyant and overly dramatized theatrics displayed by reality TV bounty hunters.

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Jeff Downer
Jeff Downer Bail Bonds
Indianapolis, IN

Tom,

Frank Repetti couldn't catch a cold if he was butt naked in Nome, Alaska in January!

Just kidding, the Repettis do a great job.

Personally I can't stand Reality TV, or Dog for that matter. I'm not in the industry yet, as I am waiting for my first steps to be cleared here in AZ and then will be seeking education or some sort of apprenticeship. While I might be uneducated in this field, I do realize it is nothing like dog. I just wish reality TV would just disappear. It's making people dumb in my opinion.

_________________
Jonathan Hack
Bolt Security, Scotsdale AZ
Unarmed Guard
Future Recovery agent.

"We are a nation of laws, not of men." - John Adams

Life is full of lessons and one I know understand. While curiosity and the thirst of knowledge is a great thing; It can become a social burden at times. Not everyone can understand "why".. I try my best to stay patient with those who don't understand and will reject me.