Most of the time when a process server goes out to deliver a civil document there was never a question of safety, but a question of will the subject avoid service.  Recently, a process server was killed after trying to serve divorce papers on a subject.  The subject became angry and killed the process server all because he did not want a divorce from his wife. 

There are questions that we have to ask the client to keep us safe and to have successful service.  Ask your client about the person you are serving.

Is the subject known for having a temper? 

Is the service in a dangerous area?

When will this person be home? 

Can we serve them at work?

Get as many details as possible. If it is a domestic case, try serving the person at work. They are less likely to become violent or give you a problem if there are at work.  Keep your cell phone handy in case you run into a hostile situation.

If you are an attorney or paralegal reading this PLEASE warn your process server if you believe the subject is violent.

Over the last few years, there have been several incidents of child and teenage abduction cases.

My question is what can parents do to stop the rise of this sometimes brutal and unnecessary crime?

As a private investigator, I always recommend that parents should monitor their children’s internet access and pay close attention to what types of things that are in their room.  Parents should focus on what the kids are saying and who they are hanging out with.

I also recommend that parents have photos and fingerprints taken of their children.  Some schools now give students inkless fingerprint kits, a DNA kits, and some also have photo cards with recent photos of kids from picture day.  All of these are important in he event that the worst happens, these photos and fingerprints will help the police with there investigations.