tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85092179421158110522024-03-16T14:11:40.412-04:00The Locksmith InvestigatorAward-winning investigative journalist keys into the mom-and-pop locksmith industry and unlocks the problems facing it today. Problems such as: con artists and inexperienced sub-contractors posing as locksmiths, proliferation of phone directory and bogus online listings, online advertisers hi-jacking genuine locksmith identities, or overburdened state licensing requirements, all leading to a loss of work and consumer confidence.Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-8102939422031932862011-05-06T09:27:00.001-04:002011-05-06T09:31:37.355-04:00Societies, associations and guilds can act like union thugsWas reading Bob Ewing’s report on Breitbart presents Big Government entitled, “THIS IS IT: Will Florida Republicans Fight for Economic Freedom Tomorrow?
His article questioned “whether Republican Senators will live up to their promises to remove job-killing regulations.....or cave in to power special interests and high-paid lobbyists?”
Today, the Senate votes on HB 5005 which removes needless Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-23438333438771816022011-04-05T10:03:00.000-04:002011-04-05T10:03:49.762-04:00SOPL founder asks his NY State representative to read The Locksmith InvestigatorTom Lynch, the founder of the Society of Professional Locksmiths, copied me on an email he had sent to his state representative, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, recommending she read my investigative report, Accurate Answers?, as well as the summary of the report detailed in my February 7 posting.
Locksmiths in NY are currently fighting more regulation purported to combat criminals posing as Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-45455330315421908212011-02-07T08:35:00.001-05:002011-02-07T08:36:52.471-05:00Wall Street Journal reporter looks at how regulations effect job growthReporter Stephanie Simon with the Wall Street Journal has written an excellent article entitled "A License to Shampoo: Jobs Needing State Approval Rise" about regulation of occupations and the reasoning or lack of reasoning behind it. It's a fascinating look at what is happening around the country and is worth the read. Click on the name of the article to link to the story.
I did post the Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-18388451120181305022010-10-22T09:07:00.007-04:002010-10-22T09:27:37.468-04:00The Locksmith Investigator blog wins awardCongratulations on being one of Top Physical Security Blogs. Your blog was a great resource that not only kept your readers up to date, but provided vital information for keeping their homestead safe. Just by blogging, not only have you raised awareness for those interested, but also provided a place to go for answers when looking to ensure the safety of their family.Thank you to the people at Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-66729348414525230232010-09-21T12:21:00.002-04:002010-09-21T12:21:00.291-04:00Conclusions and suggestions for locksmithsThe time for locksmiths to become involved, stay informed and unite against any attempt to license them is now. The effort to stay free from licensing will require infinitely less effort than complying with all the licensing rules should another attempt be successful. But if locksmiths can show they are alert, united and working to solve problems within their industry, any future assault to Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-12813107359739586492010-09-20T11:47:00.004-04:002010-09-27T18:22:26.315-04:00Summer's over, back to workWell, it’s been interesting having the summer off instead of just the two weeks I had planned. I really did have some conclusions to that big investigative story I had written, but when I submitted the article to my editor, Carol, it wasn’t pretty. “Call me right away before you post anything,” was the urgent message she’d left on my voice mail.I had written conclusions for both ALOA (AssociatedBarbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-17905729782370697002010-05-27T15:01:00.004-04:002010-06-01T05:19:01.269-04:00Accurate answers? Part 3: Neglected facts and mischaracterizations lead to wrong conclusionsNeglected Facts by FWCLA and ALOA:How locksmiths are trained.Florida locksmiths are professionally trained. Check out FWCLA’s website. Their website touts “Florida West Coast Locksmith Association is all about education.” They have trainings scheduled every month as do other associations. Strange how they didn’t mention that, but then it looks like only the Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOABarbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-20221930071896458802010-05-26T21:13:00.009-04:002010-05-27T09:50:26.269-04:00Accurate answers? Part 2: FWCLA and ALOA’s flawed evidence about Florida locksmiths continuesQuestion 3 –continued The distinction about who is causing the problem is imperative since lawmakers need accurate information upon which to base their support or their votes. Senate analyst Mandy O’Callaghan said in an interview that Florida West Coast Locksmith Association (FWCLA) and Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOA) presented committee members with a booklet of news articles as Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-83060925559262309322010-05-25T12:58:00.014-04:002010-05-27T15:19:06.173-04:00Accurate answers? Part 1: Just what did FWCLA and ALOA tell the Florida legislators about Florida locksmiths?Legislators review hundreds of bills each year and cannot be expected to know and understand how every industry works or what its needs are. One way they obtain information is to require that proponents of a bill supply answers about the impact and cost of the bill on a questionnaire called the “Sunrise Questionnaire for Groups Seeking New Regulation.”Proponents Tim McMullen of Associated Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-71342787660910622572010-05-24T16:46:00.000-04:002010-05-24T16:55:56.418-04:00Investigation uncovers origins and motivations of failed locksmith lawTomorrow I’ll begin posting my three-part investigative report on how the Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOA) and the Florida West Coast Locksmith Association (FWCLA) answered the Florida Senate’s 14 questions on the impact of the bill they proposed. The information is vital because if the proponents’ answers were flawed and unchallenged, as they were when no one opposed the legislation in Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-51627852088354654812010-05-07T15:48:00.009-04:002010-05-07T16:50:26.570-04:00Florida locksmith services law dies in House and Senate committeesThe 2010 Locksmith Services law (House Bill 301 and Senate Bill 658) died in committee on April 30, the last day of session. While Florida locksmiths are safe from the burdensome regulations for another year, it was closer to passing this year than last. The bills passed favorably through 2 of the 5 Senate committees and 2 of the 4 House committees. By mid-April, with only 2 weeks left in the Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-19673463161982018482010-04-10T09:59:00.007-04:002010-04-13T15:42:52.466-04:00Who said what at the Florida Senate hearing on the locksmith bill and why was it important?Last Tuesday the Florida Senate Community Affairs Committee passed unanimously SB 658 to impose strict regulations on Florida locksmiths. The hearing lasted just 2 minutes and 25 seconds and only one proponent spoke in favor of the bill – the bill’s sponsor Senator Victor Crist (R). Also on hand to speak was Florida West Coast Locksmiths Association lobbyist Janet Mabry. No opponents came to Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-11540299259729447052010-04-06T12:57:00.003-04:002010-04-06T13:12:25.308-04:00Senate hearing on Florida locksmith law meets Wed., April 7, 2010 in TallahasseeThe Senate Community Affairs Committee meets at 8 a.m., Wed., April 7, in Room 412-K of the Knott Building (404 South Monroe Street) to hear comments from those opposing or supporting SB 658 filed by Sen. Victor Crist (R) on behalf of Ken Kupferman, former ALOA president, but representing the Florida West Coast Locksmiths Association and Tim McMullen, ALOA Legislative Manager. This committee Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-18348975134981209762010-03-27T09:14:00.011-04:002010-03-29T16:59:49.271-04:00National policy expert gives pending Florida locksmith law a thumbs downI asked John Berlau, policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. to look at HB 301 and comment on how this law would affect the mom-and-pop locksmith businesses if this law passed in Florida. Berlau is a frequent guest on Fox News’ “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” CNBC’s “The Call” and “Closing Bell” and MSNBC’s “The Situation” with Tucker Carlson. Besides televisionBarbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-30633724908897699492010-02-08T11:36:00.002-05:002010-02-09T07:33:45.407-05:00Investigations and emails continueHappy New Year! Okay, it’s February so maybe I should say Happy Valentine’s Day. I’ve been on sabbatical and it’s been refreshing. Still writing, of course, just not focusing on the locksmith industry.It’s been an interesting year (11 months actually) writing a blog. But it’s been tough because blogs demand frequency and consistency. Investigative journalism doesn’t work that way. It requires Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-85629684143793058272009-10-31T06:44:00.004-04:002009-10-31T06:49:38.650-04:00Locksmith dies of wounds received in robberyReporter Mariann Martin of the Jackson Sun has reported that retired Marine and locksmith Troy Mitchell, 44, has died leaving behind a wife and seven sons. To read the entire story, go to:http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910310305Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-92210386532898753732009-10-30T10:34:00.003-04:002009-10-30T10:39:41.038-04:00Tennessee locksmith in critical condition after being robbed and shot in the faceThe Jackson Sun has published a lengthy story on Jackson, TN locksmith, Troy Mitchell, who was shot in the face Wednesday at 10 a.m. while working on a car parked in an apartment complex. For more information and photos of the crime, Mitchell’s life, family and business, what police think happened, reactions from his fellow locksmiths and how to help his family, go to:http://www.jacksonsun.com/Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-19261867492275825412009-10-20T18:34:00.003-04:002009-10-20T18:41:14.362-04:00Locksmiths should get listed with ALOA, LegalLocksmiths.com and/or local associationsI significantly changed my website, http://www.find-a-legit-locksmith.com/, this week by removing all the locksmith listings and I’ll eventually take the site totally down. I had originally created the site by listing, for no charge, all the locksmiths that had registered for a business license. Any locksmith who wanted to add their phone number and website could pay an annual fee.I had assumed Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-79892376884908888992009-09-26T19:22:00.004-04:002009-09-27T14:56:35.215-04:00Can extended code classes open new markets for locksmiths?The Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) has been holding a convention in the Orlando/Kissimmee area for the last two weeks. I went mainly to find some answers about the fire and life safety code classes taught by the institute.Code knowledge is an important topic since it’s just good business sense for locksmiths who do commercial work. No one wants to be responsible for someone’s death or injury Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-28269243280068229412009-08-24T18:55:00.001-04:002009-08-24T18:59:57.485-04:00Locksmiths break in and burglarize storage facilities and businessesAlabama master locksmith, Stephen Chitwood, 50, admitted to police to burglarizing storage facilities in three states since October 2008 when he lost his job according to reporter Deborah Buckhalter with www.jcfloridan.com. Chitwood, who sold the items at a local flea market, said he’d take his dog with him to act as his lookout when he hit the storage facilities once or twice a week in Alabama, Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-43532335984184105352009-07-16T16:40:00.004-04:002009-07-16T16:49:43.269-04:00Oregon next state to lock out 1-800-LocksmithScammersOregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, (D), has about 30 days to sign into law a bill that will create a Board of Locksmiths to oversee and license the state’s estimated 2,000 legitimate locksmiths and to combat untrained sub-contractors from posing as such.The sub-contractors, working for call centers, defraud consumers with shoddy workmanship and bait-and-switch schemes. They have overwhelmed the Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-28665000556637936932009-07-11T10:47:00.002-04:002009-07-11T10:53:30.617-04:00Reality show casting for family-run locksmith business, deadline 7/24/09A major television production company is conducting a nationwide search for an outgoing family-run locksmith business for a new reality TV show. The show would be similar to The Learning Channel’s (TLC) American Chopper series of a family-run custom motorcycle business.According to the casting call posted on RealityWanted.com applicants must have at least 2 family members aged 25 – 45 working at Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-78307526117635614722009-06-20T15:03:00.005-04:002009-06-20T15:24:07.530-04:00Only 5% of locksmiths listed in 3 Central Florida phone directories are legitimate, 15% for a 1-page Internet searchDell Sterling, a Colorado locksmith, was interviewed for a story on locksmith fraud by Denver Post reporter Anthony Bowe. According to Sterling, up to three-fourths of the locksmith listings in phone and internet directories are from a handful of shady firms operating under dozens of names and phone numbers.That means he believes 25 percent of locksmiths listed are legitimate. I think his number Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-14857965027027046602009-06-05T10:35:00.003-04:002009-06-05T10:42:42.297-04:00“Locksmith” uses bogus job ad as new marketing strategyIt’s always bothered me when legitimate locksmiths use several bogus names and websites to draw people to their service. I use the online name A-Florida-Locksmith.com on our website but say it right on the top of my site that it’s our online name. I list the legal name of our business as well (Martin Security Group, Inc.), however, I haven’t created additional websites with bogus names and had Barbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509217942115811052.post-77858427952506515502009-05-22T14:58:00.004-04:002009-05-28T15:51:25.821-04:00Blagojevich did do something rightOusted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich apparently did something right in 2006 when his administration suspended the locksmith license of Dependable Locks and its owner, David Peer for giving a fraudulent address on its license application, for failing to provide a list of its licensed staff and for failing to cooperate with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPRBarbara Haiss Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03990596977412742170noreply@blogger.com1