Posted by Jerald Crimson on 11/19/05 12:42pm
Msg #77672

To: Tina_MA

Seems like your signing from hell was in Fitchburg!!!

I had a similar signing in the heart of Fitchburg............. the part of the city that was full of violence and drug related activities.

Carry pepper spray dear!! In some parts of Massachusetts, your gonna need it!!

Reply by Tina_MA on 11/19/05 1:01pm
Msg #77680

Yes, it was. How'd you guess?

I do not like having to do signings in Fitchburg, Southbridge, or Lawrence. I feel safer in the heart of Roxbury or JP.

I'm thinking of getting an FID card so that I can carry pepper spray. Another Notary I know has a concealment license, she's in Boston, and she carries a loaded firearm with her everywhere. I don't think I need to go that far, but pepper spray is not a bad idea.

By the way, where are you located?

Reply by Anonymous on 11/19/05 2:52pm
Msg #77714

I live next to a couple tough neighborhoods. I tell the signing companies that I will only close in daylight hours, which gets shorter and winter comes. Also, I know where the restaraunts are and have borrowers meet me there. I lose a few transactions likely to closers that do not know what they are getting into. I have also gotten calls for 10pm later and closing, when other closers have flaked on the signing companies. I tell them the problem and if the borrowers will me me at such and such a location. I will go and close it.

I am a guy so that might help me a little. Still better safe than sorry.

Reply by Jerald Crimson on 11/19/05 9:56pm
Msg #77756

To: Tina_MA

I am located in Middlesex county..... a small town called Shirley. Surely you must know the former Ft. Devens..... my town is connected to it.

Believe me, getting your FID card will be an excellent investment!! I don't think a loaded gun is needed, but mace/pepper spray is good enough.

I remember doing a couple signings in Dorchester and Roxbury. Scary enough for me, I was actually stopped by an SUV with three undercover police officers who questioned me as to my business in the area I was at.

I'm not racist, nor am I implying anything by this, but the officers were concerned because I was white walking around in a non-white neighborhood. They did tell me that I should carry a weapon, and to get out of there as soon as possible.

This made me very uncomfortable and I refuse to do signings by myself in that area. If by chance you do, then you are a brave woman!! . I won't go into certain neighborhoods by myself. There's no way in hell!!! LOL

Since that incident I have been using the buddy system and have a friend of mine go with me to house calls. So far no one has ever had a problem with this. Most, if not all, have actually said that it is a good idea.

Though we shouldn’t live our life in paranoia thinking we’re in danger all the time, we should be cautious and strive to protect ourselves if need be. Pepper spray is a good idea.

Reply by Tina_MA on 11/20/05 9:42pm
Msg #77866

Yes, I am familiar with the former Ft Devens, as well as the surrounding areas of Shirley and Ayer.

My beau comes with me to signings in certain rough areas. I wouldn't dream of going to certain places without someone with me.

Dorchester, Roxbury, and JP do not bother me in daylight hours, but for night signings I bring my beau.