Women make up staff of local bail agency [The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C.]
By Amberly Pozzi, The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Now with two locations, one on
On a recent Tuesday morning, calls from the
Under the ownership and guidance of
"Dave is our very own
The Chix say they share the same heart as the Angels, caring for their clients through every step of the bonding process while they dish out tough love.
"People have a preconceived notion that people who need to be bonded out are criminals or bad people, but they're really just people," Szczepaniak said. "We've been there for every step of the way for some of our clients, even after they no longer need our services, to make sure they're staying on track. We care and we want to help make a difference in their lives."
In operation for about a year, the Bond Chix's bail bonding process is similar to other agencies simple for clients. The Chix are reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To determine whether they want to bond out a client, the Chix review the charges, their client's history and accounts from family members, to determine whether or not they wish to bond them out.
"It's more of a judge of character," said Szczepaniak. "We'll bond out those we feel will show up in court; we give them a second chance."
Bond Chix also has the power to write high bonds.
"Our underwriting authority is amazing," said Szczepaniak. "We have a larger underwriting authority, unlimited executing powers, and can write any amount up to
The bonding fee is 15 percent of the premium.
Each bail bonding agency has its own signature style and for the Bond Chix, it's pink.
The office is decked out in pink and black with zebra accents, an atmosphere that bond agent Owens, describes as inviting.
"It helps get our clients minds off of why they're here," said Owens. "It's fun and inviting, and it gets them to come back."
Szczepaniak said that adding Owens to the team brought more pink decor to the office and added to the welcoming atmosphere that brings back clients who are eager to share their stories of how they've turned their lives around.
"They become our children," said Szczepaniak. "I'm a mom, it's my nature. We ensure that the defendant goes to court and then we raise them in-between. We have a good relationship with them and they'll come in and have coffee; fill us in about their lives."
The Chix hope to expand their business to six or seven agencies opening statewide over the year and want to help out local support groups, shelters, and victims of abuse.
"Some of our clients are too young to know better when they get started. It usually takes a big strong hand to pull them out and show them some compassion and give them some tough love," said Szczepaniak. "We're trying to offer services above and beyond.
"We want to be able to help out these guys and girls."
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