Is Process Serving Dangerous?
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Stephanie Mitchell wrote two very important articles on Process Server Safety and dealing with and preventing dogs bites while serving process but the basic question still remains, “Is process serving dangerous?”
Unfortunately, there have been several recent instances where process servers have been attacked and / or killed while serving court documents. While it is extremely rare, it seems to be a problem that is worsening rather than getting better. I’m not sure whether that is because there is more process being served in a gloomy economy where many people are growing increasingly frustrated or if the 24 hour news cycle and a plethora of news outlets are striving to deliver more news and we are hearing about h0micides and assaults that would have otherwise been buried 5 or 10 years ago.
The simple answer is, “Yes, service of process can be a dangerous assignment… but it does not have to be.” In all things common sense must prevail. Here is a recent video that discusses some common sense tips about process server safety that closely parallels the article Stephanie wrote a year and a half ago.
To recap the information in the video:
- Use common sense
- Talk to the client- is the subject known to have been violent in the past?
- Contact the police if you believe the person being served may react violently.
- Know your surroundings.
- Keep your car close and a cell phone handy.
- Go with a partner.
- Be friendly and polite.
- Never turn your back on the subject.
Remember, while most process servers will never find themselves in a life or death situation there is no job in the world that is worth your life! Let common sense be your guide and stay safe out there!
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- Serving Divorce Papers is Never without Drama or Humor | Pursuit Magazine | January 2, 2012
- Serving Divorce Papers is Never without Drama or Humor | Pursuit Magazine | January 2, 2012
I am a retired police officer. I hold a concealed handgun license. I also own a process service company. Can I carry a concealed handgun wile serving process.
I am a retired police officer. I hold a concealed handgun license. I also own a process service company. Can I carry a concealed handgun wile serving process.
Can a retired police officer who holds a concealed handgun permit carry a concealed handgun while serving process.
Can a retired police officer who holds a concealed handgun permit carry a concealed handgun while serving process.
This would be entirely dependent upon the laws and regulations of the state in which you are working. Your status as a retired LEO has little to no bearing on whether you can legally carry concealed while working as a process server or not. Welcome to retirement.
This would be entirely dependent upon the laws and regulations of the state in which you are working. Your status as a retired LEO has little to no bearing on whether you can legally carry concealed while working as a process server or not. Welcome to retirement.
Mike, I totally agree with Mike. I generally check to find out about the individual who is to be served,i.e; psych problems,etc. beforehand. However, can you picture yourself without a weapon upon serving one and the person displays a weapon. Is this where the Should have Vs: Could have come in?
Mike, I totally agree with Mike. I generally check to find out about the individual who is to be served,i.e; psych problems,etc. beforehand. However, can you picture yourself without a weapon upon serving one and the person displays a weapon. Is this where the Should have Vs: Could have come in?
It always amazes me how many in the PI business take a lacksadaisical attitude to working on the street.
Just about every form of PI work has the potential to become deadly. In short, much of PI work is basically police work but without a badge, uniform and most times without radio or backup.
I have worked in the street as a PI for over 20 years. In that time period I worked primarily in high crime areas of NYC, as a criminal defense investigator, automobile repossessor and insurance investigator.
I broke into this business working with a retired NYPD Detective who gave me many a lesson in street awareness. Two of the many lessons I was taught were:
(1) Always take note of the address and nearest cross streets where you happen to be working so if you have to call for help you can rely your location to the 911 dispatcher. This even applies while in the process tailing a target. Look at a street sign, make note of a building number or at least the number block you happen to be on, 1500 block, 900 block etc.
(2) When pulling onto a street in a high crime area, it is always best to sit at the end of the block for 5 or 10 minutes to check out the block, who is around and what kind of action is going down near your target location.
Definitely doing some initial research on your target is helpful. I recently googled an insurance claimant’s name, only to learn that he was implicated in the disappearance of a mob stool pigeon several years back.
It always amazes me how many in the PI business take a lacksadaisical attitude to working on the street.
Just about every form of PI work has the potential to become deadly. In short, much of PI work is basically police work but without a badge, uniform and most times without radio or backup.
I have worked in the street as a PI for over 20 years. In that time period I worked primarily in high crime areas of NYC, as a criminal defense investigator, automobile repossessor and insurance investigator.
I broke into this business working with a retired NYPD Detective who gave me many a lesson in street awareness. Two of the many lessons I was taught were:
(1) Always take note of the address and nearest cross streets where you happen to be working so if you have to call for help you can rely your location to the 911 dispatcher. This even applies while in the process tailing a target. Look at a street sign, make note of a building number or at least the number block you happen to be on, 1500 block, 900 block etc.
(2) When pulling onto a street in a high crime area, it is always best to sit at the end of the block for 5 or 10 minutes to check out the block, who is around and what kind of action is going down near your target location.
Definitely doing some initial research on your target is helpful. I recently googled an insurance claimant’s name, only to learn that he was implicated in the disappearance of a mob stool pigeon several years back.
Funny but 100% true. One time I got a last minn call to serve papers on a crazy guy on a farm.While steping over a fence to get to the house first I got my balls shocked by the fence then had to use my pepper spray on the dog then from around the corner came a 350lbs bore,he hit me so hard he broke 3 ribbs and gave me 4 6 in. gashes.I did get the guy served.
Funny but 100% true. One time I got a last minn call to serve papers on a crazy guy on a farm.While steping over a fence to get to the house first I got my balls shocked by the fence then had to use my pepper spray on the dog then from around the corner came a 350lbs bore,he hit me so hard he broke 3 ribbs and gave me 4 6 in. gashes.I did get the guy served.
In answer to your question regarding the dangers of process service, it has recently come to my attention that two insurance investigators were gunned down and died as a result,while attempting to serve process on an insurance broker.
The two investigators were employed by the Louisiana Department of Insurance and were unarmed at the time. Apparently, the broker was the subject of an ongoing investigation and after killing the two investigators, turned the gun on himself dying of his wounds.
” The two investigators were unarmed but the Louisiana Department of Insurance said it is exploring the possibility that investigators could carry guns in the future. ”
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2011/06/13/202378.htm