PBUS Pounces on an Opportunity to Discredit Bounty Hunters

What is the business-world’s greatest blunder? 

Was it the single hull design employed in the building of the Titanic in a cost saving move?  Perhaps it was New Coke?  Then again, who can forget the precise business acumen of the Frenchies who negotiated the Louisiana Purchase for 3 cents an acre and the Native Americans who sold us Manhattan for a handful of blue beads and blankets?  Some people might even say buying and holding Enron stock was the most terrible business decision.

Well... how about the Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS) inviting the Media Hound to their annual convention?

Yes, I would put that move among the most egregious errors in judgment ever committed in modern industry.  It is going to cost the association dearly- both in terms of the short term effects on convention attendance as well as long term losses due to an increase in member defections (in an already declining membership). 

I have empirical evidence to support this…

I was speaking to the Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents (TAPBA) today in Nashville, TN.  It was a standing-room-only event and the largest crowd wth whom I have ever had the opportunity to speak (400+ bail bondsmen and a few bail enforcement agents).  During my presentation on Advanced Skip Tracing Techniques and Apprehensions, I mentioned the importance of maintaining a low profile in order to preserve the element of surprise during an arrest.  Off the cuff, I made a comment that a certain media personality would have a difficult time being inconspicuous because of his appearance that was immediately met with an astounding groan from the audience (I did not need to mention him by name); I sensed that some of the audience member’s attitudes had shifted as well.

Everything else went fine and as planned.  So much for extemporaneous speaking.

During the following break, a bail bondsmen who has been in the business for over 24 years and VERY well respected in the TN bail community stomped up to me and said, “You know, they (PBUS) made a farce out of their organization by inviting the Media Hound to our annual conference for a photo opportunity.  I am NOT renewing my membership- that was the last straw as far as I am concerned!” 

(I wondered if they wouldn’t have to stand the media hound on a milk crate so that he wouldn’t appear too short to be in pictures with anyone over 5’10”)

Then "Avis," who was with me at the moment, agreed with the bondsman and echoed the same sentiments; he would not be attending the convention or renewing his membership as a result.  Furthermore, the vice president of one of the largest insurance (surety) agencies was disgusted as well. 

Wow… that was a pretty strong reaction, I thought, though I was vaguely more concerned about the crowd that was gathering around us.  They were restless.

A voice from the growing number of people, who were now straining to hear our conversation, said that PBUS had made a mockery of the industry by inviting the Media Hound.  He was obviously not in the minority either- these guys were genuinely pissed.  I can’t say that I didn’t understand where they were coming from; I was definitely disappointed when I read the convention schedule advertising that the Media Hound would be at the convention for a “grip and grin” too.  I had 10 or 15 bail bondsmen right there who felt strongly enough about this issue to seek me out and let me have a piece of their mind about just that.  (Whoa guys… you are preaching to the choir!) 

Take it up with PBUS. 
   
Before you get your panties in a wad, dear Media Hound Fan, you must accept the reality that a majority of bail bondsmen have a passionate distaste for your superhero.  Despite the evangelizing and the empathy he has for his clients on TV, he has not been good for the industry's image.  You see… bail bondsmen have never enjoyed a particularly savory or wholesome image and are often associated with being only one step removed from the people they get out of jail.  While that might have been the case 20 or 30 years ago, today they are constantly fighting a battle to restore public confidence in their important role within the American criminal justice system and improve the public’s overall opinion of the industry.  The Media Hound represents a visual step in the wrong direction. 

I have long suspected the leadership at the Professional Bail Agents of the United States of having an anti-bail enforcement agent agenda and I believe that this opportunity is EXACTLY what they needed to advance their cause.

The Media Hound’s very appearance (the mullet, tactical vest, leather arm bands, etc, etc) and grandiose behavior gives us all fits… but most especially the bail recovery agents.  And what better way to reinforce all of the negative stereotypes that the bounty hunter suffers in the minds of bail bondsmen than to parade this guy in front of several hundred of them!  Now THIS is “uber-sneaky James Bond kind of stuff” perpetrated by PBUS’ leadership to advance their cause against the independent recovery agent.   Disrupt… discredit… and destroy. 

In their overzealous pursuit to stamp us out, or perhaps just the overly simple excuse for an opportunity to bask in the light of the Media Hound’s television crew, PBUS’ leadership has lost their way and forgotten to account for the feelings (and activism) of their own membership.  Good luck with that.

I think I’ll have a New Coke; it goes down easier and wasn’t really all that bad after all. 

It’s late, I’m going to bed.

Comments

[Dan Amato]

I am also offended by the glorification of that part of our profession that causes the most problems.

[Dj]

It took you that many words to get across that you don't like Duane Chapman? That was downright boring to read.

[I'm not a bail agent or anything close to it.]

"You see… bail bondsmen have never enjoyed a particularly savory or wholesome image and are often associated with being only one step removed from the people they get out of jail."

That's Duane Chapman in a nut shell, he's an ex gang member who's been convicted of armed robbery 18 times not to mention murder. He's far worse of a criminal then most of those he apprehends and preaches his BS drivel to.

[Gary]

The Media Hound isn't 5'10". He's 5’7" and admits to using customized boots to increase his short stature to a commanding 5’10".