![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.cucollector.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/blood_driveway.jpg\" "\\"blood_driveway\\"")
<\/a>Editorial<\/p>\nDallas, TX \u2013 Mach 22, 2012 \u2013 I had just checked in at the Omni Mandalay in Las Colinas for the North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) when I received an email. The Huffington Post had just published an article about the state of the repossession industry titled \u201cRepos Gone Bad: Are Big Lenders To Blame for Driveway Violence?<\/a>\u201d Having been one of many interviewed by Dave Jamieson, I confess some apprehension in what was to be published. Upon reading it several times, I felt that for the most, he got it right.<\/p>\n Read the article here!<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Amongst those interviewed were myself, Mary Jane Hogan, President of the ARA, Joe Taylor of RISC, Debra Durham of Midwest Adjusters, Ed Marcum, President of RSIG and Patrick Altes of the TFA. Coming under direct fire were Lou Pizarro of \u201cOperation Repo\u201d and Kevin Flynn, CEO of Renovo. Despite Mr. Jamieson\u2019s clear understanding of many of the major issues that trouble the repossession industry, I, as well as all of the others I had spoken to, admitted a similar apprehension that our words might be twisted against us. The Huffington Post is after all a notoriously left winged publication who could have painted a more negative picture of the predominantly conservative industry to satisfy their mostly liberal audience who include persons sympathetic to the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), who had several years ago advocated the end of the self- help repossession process.<\/p>\n The article does paint an accurate picture of some of the problems that have plagued the industry for over a decade now. I also feel that it does a good job of illustrating the price the industry and the public have paid for the long time fragmentation of the industry and the lack of standards it has operated under nationally through the years. We all know how these have posed a danger to the public while undercutting the true and professional repossession companies, associations and men and women in the field who perform their duties safely while they struggle to maintain a decent living wage under constant financial pressure.<\/p>\n While he perhaps didn\u2019t focus heavily on that point, he did point out well that not just anyone can make it as a repossessor and that it is hard and frustrating work as he found through his own experience. Take your hat off to the guy for stepping into your boots if for only couple of weeks. He did his homework.<\/p>\n My only disappointment was that perhaps he took the low road in highlighting the \u201cBill Jacobs\u201d and \u201cTank Abbott\u201d deaths, but then again, mia culpa, I\u2019ve been fairly accused of the same by many people, so I am in no position to criticize. I can only assume this is for the general public, who were probably unaware of these incidents and maybe it does a good job of taking all of the laughter out of the Repo Reality\/Tru TV shows and shows the reality of the consequences of poor employment screening and a lack of industry education. While many of us might find it odd that a liberal publication would sympathize with the repossession industry, perhaps we are not as far apart as we might think. While long fashionable to slam the banking industry and Wall Street, it is interesting to say the least, that we find ourselves united in the observation that the price driven demands of the lenders are partially to blame for much that ills the repossession industry. When two opposing political segments recognize the same problems, there is obviously a problem and it is refreshing to share common sentiments and opinions.<\/p>\n With these observations in mind, we may find ourselves not only in communication with, but, in possible agreement with rumored focuses and requirements upon the lenders which could be imposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB.) Rumor has it that they were present at NARS in Dallas and attorney Michael Dougherty of Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co. , LPA, has allegedly had discussions with them and provided some insight into their intentions for the repossession industry, but I\u2019ll touch heavily on that later as it may again come as a surprise to everyone what their position is.<\/p>\n In closing, this has been a very busy week in repossession and collection news and I\u2019ll do my best to get it all out to you ASAP.<\/p>\n Thank you,<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n