Problem is, you never know.
When you walk up to a strange place and knock on a door, you just don’t know what you’re going to encounter. I’ve had even the most seasoned servers express to me that they are more cautious than they used to be and don’t feel quite as safe as they did a few years ago. The state of the world in general and the economy and the effects it has had on so many people is making those we serve, as a group, more on edge; and, according to my servers, it is evident in their encounters with servees. This is not a job for the faint hearted. My servers in the past year have been punched, had things thrown at them, had their vehicles damaged by servees, and have been threatened with vicious dogs and guns. Oddly enough, this seems to happen with people and locations where it would be least expected.
I only serve papers in a pinch these days as a fill-in server, very infrequently. I spend most of my time in the office. Although technology in this business can be challenging, I take comfort in knowing that my location is documented when I’m out there alone. Some of the places we serve in our area are very rural. It is not unusual to knock on the door of a house that is completely hidden from the road and any other houses.
Staying Safe While Serving Papers
In the interest of safety, my standing instructions to the servers doing work for me are as follows:
- Document your location when arriving at the address by geotag photo and sending my office the photo and file number for the job, so that we know your location if there is a problem.
- Observe your surroundings carefully upon arrival. Park your vehicle, whenever possible, in a spot where you can get into the car quickly if need be.
- Do not respond in kind to antagonistic behavior-do not engage. Get the job done, get into your vehicle and leave.
- Without being rude, do not engage in extensive conversation with servees.
- If you feel threatened, leave and notify the office.
- If you are assaulted, pull away from the premises and call the police.
Take care all of my fellow NYSPPSA members, and be safe.