Earlier this month, a Black Michigan REALTOR® named Eric Brown was the purported victim of racial profiling during what should have been a routine showing. Police drew guns on the real estate agent, his client Roy Thorne and the client’s 15-year-old son after a neighbor called 911 to report a break-in.
According to several sources, all three were eventually released after Wyoming, Michigan police ordered them out of the home with their hands up and handcuffed each of them. According to Thorne, police kept their guns drawn until cuffs were secure, and Brown had to show police his real estate credentials before being released.
“The level of the response and the aggressiveness of the response was definitely a take back, it really threw me back,” Brown told TV station WOOD. “Am I just automatically the criminal? Because that’s pretty much how we were treated in that situation.”
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) President Charlie Oppler issued a statement following the incident: “The detainment of Eric Brown, a REALTOR® from Michigan, and his clients during a recent home showing was deeply disturbing. Brown, his client and his client’s 15-year-old son—all of whom are Black—had guns drawn upon them by local police and were placed in handcuffs after neighbors reported a break in at the property,” said Oppler. “While, thankfully, neither Brown nor his clients were physically harmed in the incident, racial profiling—and the humiliation, indignity and trauma that comes with it—has no place in our country. NAR’s top priority is the safety and well-being of all of our members as we work tirelessly each and every day to make the American Dream of owning a home a reality for all.”
Liz Dominguez is RISMedia’s senior online editor. Email her your real estate news ideas to lizd@rismedia.com.
We’ll never know, but would guns have been drawn if the three were white? The only reason I ask is I’d like to know if there are any white REALTORS who have been held at gunpoint by the police while showing a house? I’m pro police, but I don’t see any way this instance can’t be considered racial profiling and I agree with Charlie Oppler.
I had police called and show up with guns ready as I was preparing a home to go on the market. Police come prepared to use overpowering force to get the situation under THEIR control quickly. So, I would be hesitant to call this “Racial Profiling”.
this is beyond disgusting, was purposeful, and calculated action. These messages are constantly sent in various different ways.
Thank you for reporting this story. I am so disgusted that these incidents continue to happen. This makes me realize that this country has not moved an inch forward regarding racial equality in the last 50 years. I’m very sad.
The incident was reported as a break in by the neighbor. I don’t believe that it was a racial issue, it was treated as a break in by the police. No information was given concerning if the neighbor knew the property was for sale. It’s shameful that the media reports this as a racial issue. If this had been a true break in, the owner of the property would be relieved to know the police were doing their job to protect them and the property. Stop promoting and inciting people to make the police look bad, when this was never a racial issue!
Sounds like the police responded to a call. How about a follow up from the side of the officers. This is not journalism. It’s a one-sided opinion.
The 911 caller needs to be held accountable too.
Without actually being there and knowing all the facts from both sides, we can not just assume anything.
That being said, I don’t see the profiling on the part of the police. The police were called on a break-in. Once they secured the situation, they got the facts. Then they released the three.
I once had the police show up at a vacant house that I was listing as a REO. I had all my paperwork on the property, my business card, etc. That one time did make me realize that neighbors can think of us as people breaking into properties. I got myself a COMPANY BRAND front license plate for my car and made sure I was always wearing my name tag when viewing or showing property from that point on.
Maybe as realtors we should all have our credentials with us at every showing and open house. The name tag with a company logo is not a bad idea either. Maybe as a listing agent we should also be sure our sellers have informed immediate neighbors that they will be listing their home.