Neglected 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 (ALOA) answered this question.
Locksmiths regularly receive training through local associations and locksmith suppliers who bring in safe, lock, equipment, tool and software manufacturers and vendors to certify locksmiths on their products. Locksmiths train to make their jobs easier, expand their services therefore gaining more business and service their customers better. They have file drawers of certificates and storefronts, warehouses, storage sheds and vans crammed with product and equipment to prove it. New locksmiths learn from long-time locksmiths and supplement their training at locksmith schools either online, distance learning, video or CD classes or attend classes at conventions or seminars. Most locksmiths feel it is not appropriate to be burdened with costly regulations and mandatory and continuing education. At an estimated $50 a credit hour, SB 658 is requiring 16 credit hours or an $800 burden on already professionally-trained locksmiths. Mandatory training of trained locksmiths will not stop the criminal element – only enforcement of current anti-fraud laws will do that.
Locksmiths certifying themselves?
When I interviewed Senate analyst Mandy O’Callaghan she said she had some concerns about whether or not the locksmiths were certifying themselves. She said she asked FWCLA lobbyist Janet Mabry about who would be doing the training and was told it would be the locksmith/employers or a major locksmith employer who would be providing the training.
Okay, so maybe Mabry just didn’t know what was going on in the locksmith industry. It’s possible. Maybe she was confused -- after all this is the lobbyist who every time she was asked at a committee meeting who she represented or every time she introduced herself or signed an appearance card, she couldn’t even get her client’s name right. She always said she was representing “Florida locksmiths” or “the Locksmith Association” instead of the Florida West Coast Locksmith Association. The first time I noticed it, I thought it was just a mistake, but after hearing or seeing the same faux pas on every committee video or tape recording, I began to wonder – was it intentional or is she really confused? Maybe overstating whom they represent is a normal “fib” for a lobbyist – I don’t know.
I explained to O’Callaghan that a large chain like Pop-A-Lock, that had their own training center, may be certifying their employees, but most locksmith businesses are a one- or two-person businesses and they do not certify themselves.
Questions 10 & 11 combined
What is the cost of regulation, including indirect cost to consumers and the method proposed to finance the regulation? (Question 11 addresses the cost to locksmiths and FWCLA and ALOA gave the same answer to both questions.)
Answer: ALOA and FWCLA state that the cost depends upon how many the state feels it can license plus the cost of administering the license. They list $500 (Illinois) every two years to $100 (N.C.) every year. They point out that it is less than $1 a day to maintain a license.
Not completely accurate
FWCLA and ALOA failed to address:
The cost to the professional locksmith would be significant as it includes licensing fees, mandatory and continuing education, as well as the cost to maintain and store records on customers and employees. All these costs would have to be passed on the public.
Question 12
Provide any previous efforts in this state to implement regulation of the profession or occupation?
Answer: FWCLA and ALOA state that Dade County had a locksmith licensing ordinance.
Inaccurate: Dade County has an existing locksmith licensing ordinance and it’s been operating well since 1995. FWCLA and ALOA did provide a link to Dade County’s ordinance in their answer, so it may have been a typo. Dade County’s ordinance does not, however, burden the locksmith with mandatory and continuing education. Miami locksmiths, who pay $600 every two years for a license, verified that the locksmith suppliers in the area invite vendors on a regular basis to provide certified training programs.
Question 13
Provide any other information the committee may consider relevant to the analysis of the proposed legislation?
Answer: FWCLA and ALOA state that “many consumers falsely believe that all locksmiths have had a background check and have some proficiency in their trade. There is no way to evaluate this unless locksmiths show that they have a license. With the advent of ‘Phony locksmiths’ defrauding and overcharging the public all over the country, the public is demanding that something be done.” The legislators are then directed to the ALOA’s website page with the 201 “locksmith” stories.
Inaccuracy #1: FWCLA and ALOA did not cite their documentation that determined what consumers do or don’t believe. Florida consumers can rightly believe that professional locksmiths are proficient because they are professionally trained and they actively acquire skills and training to enhance their service and livelihood. Consumers also are likely to presume that any professional trades person would be proficient in their trade. We assume, for example, that car mechanics are proficient in what they do. Most pay for their own schooling and training. Some of them get certified on particular cars or systems as locksmiths can get trained on specific locks and systems. But car mechanics are not required to be licensed or required to take continuing education classes and neither should locksmiths.
Inaccuracy #2: There is an evaluator. The marketplace is the evaluator. It evaluates car mechanics and professional locksmiths alike. Those who don’t measure up lose clients and eventually go out of business. With the advent of the Internet, consumers can go to government or association sites to assure themselves that they are calling a legitimate locksmith.
Inaccuracy #3: Apparently, the “public demand for something to be done” is not very high as locksmith scams are not even listed as one of the top 83 scams on the State’s consumer protection website administered by State Attorney General Bill McCollum.
McCollum’s office lists only one current “locksmith” investigation on its website and it’s for David Peer’s call center. Peer’s already sitting in a Missouri jail cell as that state’s Attorney General sent the U.S. Marshals after him for fraudulent crimes against Missouri residents and mail fraud.
According to Rachel Slone, media contact for McCollum’s office, there have been 62 “locksmith-related” crimes in Florida in the last 3 years or an average of 21 per year.
Slone said, “We have one active ongoing investigation and several of these complaints relate to this active case.” She said that she could not reveal the name of the person in the active case since the person was unaware of the investigation. When asked if they were locksmiths or those posing as locksmiths, Slone said, “We won’t know until we complete the investigation.” (See link below.)
According to Sonya Perez, the media contact for the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department, where a locksmith licensing ordinance has been the law since 1995, there were 31 complaints against locksmiths in the last 3 years or an average of 10 per year. Perez, however, could not state how many complaints were against any of Miami-Dade’s 450+ registered locksmiths and how many complaints were against those posing as locksmiths.
According to Judy Pepper, President of the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida, there were five complaints against locksmiths in 2009 in Central Florida with a total of 81 throughout the state. South East Florida counties had the highest number of incidents with 53. Unknown is whether they were locksmith complaints or “locksmith” scammer complaints.
According to Terrance McElroy, spokesman with the State Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the department did not have a lot of complaints against locksmiths in 2009. He said it would be difficult to pull out specific data due to the way they input and track their information. Once it becomes a frequent complaint, they categorize it. Locksmith complaints have not been categorized.
“I don’t think we’ve had an excessive number of complaints,” McElroy said.
Totals from these agencies for 2009 for the whole state
21 Attorney General’s Office
10 Miami-Dade Consumer Services
81 Better Business Bureau
? Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
– too small to categorize
4 Newspaper articles
How many of all these 116 reported incidents are duplicated to more than one agency is unknown. Let’s assume for arguments sake that 50% are against professional locksmiths – that figure would be less than 60 complaints in the entire state. I personally think these are mostly “locksmith” scammer complaints.
I did begin checking counties on Florida’s west coast when I heard a television reporter state in a news report that there were hundreds of locksmith complaints. The four agencies he listed were the Better Business Bureau, the Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services and both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties’ consumer protection agencies.
Pinellas County has the information online and there were 5 complaints all against David Peer. In Hillsborough County, there were 2 complaints (1 against Peer) in 2009. Apparently, the reporter’s figures don’t line up or, under time constraints, he may have relied upon the west coast locksmiths he interviewed to answer truthfully.
Question 14
Name of the person(s) completing this questionnaire and the entity or interested party that he or she represents.
Signed by:
Ken Kupferman, CML, Florida West Coast Locksmith Association
Tim McMullen, ALOA.
Accurate if you don’t count the omissions: Kupferman served as the President of ALOA from 2007 – 2009 and was on the ALOA board for the previous 6 years. Strange he didn’t mention that in the questionnaire or on his appearance cards or in person when he either testified before the committee hearings or showed up to speak.
FWCLA, by the way, was listed as an ALOA Affiliate on ALOA’s website in 2003, but dropped that designation somewhere along the line -- maybe as they began to get more politically involved.
McMullen is the Legislative Manager for ALOA
According to a State of the Association article in the July 2009 Keynotes magazine (page 33), “. . . ALOA played a proactive role in locksmith legislation by providing assistance with the passage of locksmith licensing and related bills in Alabama, California, Maryland and Virginia; monitoring and assisting with the process of introducing locksmith licensing bills in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Rhode Island. . . “
From what I could discern ALOA answered all 14 questions and I‘m crediting FWCLA with 7 answers, although it may not be that high and of those, 3 were inaccurate or distorted the facts. At least 6 of ALOA’s answers either neglected to tell the full story or were complete mischaracterizations and some had multiple inaccuracies.
I don’t know what “assisting with the process of introducing locksmith licensing bills in Florida” means to ALOA, but it appears to be more than just assisting especially when both people signing the questionnaire are leaders in ALOA.
Obviously, there is only one interested party in this questionnaire, only one group seeking to regulate Florida locksmiths – ALOA.
Next post (which may be next week):
I’ll be drawing some conclusions on this situation plus sharing how one locksmith almost single-handedly stopped locksmith legislation in his state by educating his fellow locksmiths what that law would actually cost them. Hope to have these two written the beginning of the week. Then I take two weeks off – to continue writing my former publisher’s memoirs. Then I’ll be back at it. Finally, thank you to all those that wrote such kinds words to me about the work I’m doing. I appreciate it.
DOCUMENTATION
Associations – check out the associations’ education (training) pages or notices
Central Florida Locksmith Association www.cflalocksmith.org First Coast Locksmith Association www.fcla.net
Florida West Coast Locksmith Association www.fwcla.org
FWCLA listed on ALOA’s June 2003 website as an affiliate:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030206051953/http://www.aloa.org/about/chapter.htm#aloa
Associated Locksmiths of America www.aloa.org
ALOA’s locksmith listings www.findalocksmith.com
Podcast of March 3, 2010 – Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee (Video is no longer archived but audio is in the form of a podcast)
www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/PodCasts/PodCasts.aspx Scroll down to the Committee’s March 3 podcast. You can also scroll down to the March 22 podcast of the Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee and hear Mabry say she represents Florida Locksmiths..
Janet Mabry’s appearance sign in
www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType=Committees&CommitteeId=2470&Session=2010&DocumentType=Action Packets&FileName=ANRPC_ACTN_3_3_2010.pdf
This link is very long, so go to www.myfloridahouse.gov, then select committees and scroll down to “General Government Policy Council.” From there select the Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee. Once on their page, select “All Council and Committee Documents” from the Committee Document section and select the March 3rd Action Packet. Page 5 lists Janet Mabry signing in as a lobbyist for Florida Locksmith Association.
Miami-Dade’s Locksmith Ordinance
www.miamidade.gov/csd/locksmith_ordinance.asp
Consumers can file or check out complaints at the following links:
County level - Most counties have a Consumer Protection Ordinance and agency that
handles complaints. Go to the local county page and look for the link.
Also, go to local police or sheriff’s office.
State level -
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
www.800helpfla.com/complnt.html
Office of the Attorney General of Florida
http://myfloridalegal.com/
To check out current investigations, go to: http://myfloridalegal.com/lit_ec.nsf/investigations, click on the “Search Active Investigations” link on top of the column of investigations. Type in the word “Locksmith” and see David Peer’s investigation show up.
Showing posts with label locksmith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label locksmith. Show all posts
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Investigation uncovers origins and motivations of failed locksmith law
Tomorrow 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 the committee meeting hearings, it could have resulted in a defective locksmith law and caused hardship for locksmiths for many years to come.
While I completed the report about two weeks ago, my editor, Carol, had it a week, then, of course, there was the inevitable talk with the attorney. It’s always good to get a legal opinion even if you have years of legal experience and almost one year of law school. I say, almost, because while I loved learning about law, I realized I didn’t want to be an attorney so dropped out near the end of the first year. The knowledge I received, however, was invaluable for conducting investigations as well as writing and researching legal and legislative issues, but I’d never be so foolhardy as to proceed into a prickly area without advice of counsel.
Investigative journalists who write blogs have to be judicious in what they write so as not to unintentionally draw a defamation suit. Defamation occurs when “one acts with reckless disregard for the truth.” Documenting every step taken in the investigation, obviously, provides the antidote to reckless disregard. Documentation also leaves a trail of breadcrumbs that some one else can follow if need be.
Investigative work and documentation are time-consuming because stories must be based on accurate facts and figures that are not always initially apparent. A friend, in his 70’s, recently shared sage advice about figures that he learned in his youth.
“Remember,” said Bill Nichols of Winter Park, “Figures do not lie, but liars sure can figure.”
Exactly! That’s what reporters seek to discover – who’s mischaracterizing issues, facts and figures and why? Who’s making what statements and for what purpose? Of course, there are those who sometimes make statements out of ignorance – they just don’t know enough about a situation and assume things or they repeat rumors. For others, it’s intentional. They have a plan. They have an agenda. There’s a goal in sight. At other times reporters just have to explain issues in concise terms so people can understand them. Investigative reporters are trained to sort things out and give a clearer picture of what is going on or what happened.
Part 1 of my report details the first two questions and part of Question 3 and includes: who would be regulated and how many of the locksmiths do the proponents say they represent; what associations are involved and the evidence ALOA and FWCLA presented on how Florida locksmiths have harmed the public.
See you tomorrow!
While I completed the report about two weeks ago, my editor, Carol, had it a week, then, of course, there was the inevitable talk with the attorney. It’s always good to get a legal opinion even if you have years of legal experience and almost one year of law school. I say, almost, because while I loved learning about law, I realized I didn’t want to be an attorney so dropped out near the end of the first year. The knowledge I received, however, was invaluable for conducting investigations as well as writing and researching legal and legislative issues, but I’d never be so foolhardy as to proceed into a prickly area without advice of counsel.
Investigative journalists who write blogs have to be judicious in what they write so as not to unintentionally draw a defamation suit. Defamation occurs when “one acts with reckless disregard for the truth.” Documenting every step taken in the investigation, obviously, provides the antidote to reckless disregard. Documentation also leaves a trail of breadcrumbs that some one else can follow if need be.
Investigative work and documentation are time-consuming because stories must be based on accurate facts and figures that are not always initially apparent. A friend, in his 70’s, recently shared sage advice about figures that he learned in his youth.
“Remember,” said Bill Nichols of Winter Park, “Figures do not lie, but liars sure can figure.”
Exactly! That’s what reporters seek to discover – who’s mischaracterizing issues, facts and figures and why? Who’s making what statements and for what purpose? Of course, there are those who sometimes make statements out of ignorance – they just don’t know enough about a situation and assume things or they repeat rumors. For others, it’s intentional. They have a plan. They have an agenda. There’s a goal in sight. At other times reporters just have to explain issues in concise terms so people can understand them. Investigative reporters are trained to sort things out and give a clearer picture of what is going on or what happened.
Part 1 of my report details the first two questions and part of Question 3 and includes: who would be regulated and how many of the locksmiths do the proponents say they represent; what associations are involved and the evidence ALOA and FWCLA presented on how Florida locksmiths have harmed the public.
See you tomorrow!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Florida locksmith services law dies in House and Senate committees
The 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 session, the bills looked all but dead. Then former Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOA) President Ken Kupferman sent out an urgent email asking Florida locksmiths to call House Speaker Larry Cretual and Majority Leader Adam Hasner and “ask them to bring our bill to the House Floor for a vote.”
What was going on? Had something been missed? How could asking Cretual and Hasner to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote have helped when it still had so far to go in the Senate? What would that have accomplished?
Plenty, as it turns out!
According to Jaryn Emhof, Communications Director for Senate President Jeff Atwater, “when a bill in the House and the Senate is identical (as was the case with HB 301 and SB 658) , and, if a deal has been made between the sponsors, should the bill pass one Chamber, it can automatically be passed in the other Chamber.”
Did Rep. Thomas Anderson (R) and Senator Victor Crist (R), (both sponsors in 2009 and 2010), reach an agreement either before or during the 2010 session? It’s possible. If it had been brought to the floor for a vote, in all likelihood, it would have passed, sidestepping the 5 remaining committee hearings.
So that may be the reason for Kupferman’s final urgent emails. It’s also a good reason why those who oppose legislation, any legislation, need to travel to Tallahassee to speak at committee hearings at the beginning of March to stop any unwanted legislation.
I did take Kupferman’s email seriously and called and sent faxes to Cretual and Hasner, but not in support of the bill. This course of action, however, was frustrating, and, I believe, not very effective at this point in the process. When I asked legislative staff answering the phones how they verify that those calling in to express their opinions are Florida residents, they said there was no way they could do that. Since ALOA has about 4,000 to 5,000 nationwide members, it was very disconcerning especially knowing what I already knew about their approach to this legislation.
Knowing how the system works empowers constituents
So how does a bill get started? Generally, interested Floridians approach their representatives in the Senate and the House to suggest a new regulation. Things usually begin happening far in advance of the March to April 60-day session when legislators actually vote on bills.
Bills are filed in November and then referred to councils or committees for discussion. November through March is the best time for constituents to visit their representatives in their district offices and voice their opinion about pending legislation. The second best opportunity for the opposition to voice their opinions is when the committee meetings begin in March. Until then, it’s possible that Representatives and Senators only know what the proponents of the bill have said.
Proponents are usually better organized and funded and are able to hire lobbyists. They and their lobbyist have already been visiting legislators in their districts offices and at campaign events. They even hold events packed with supporters of the bill and invite legislators to attend “to hear what the average locksmith thinks about the bill.”
If no one speaks against the bill at the committee meetings in Tallahassee, as happened in this case, then the bills are favorably passed by majority vote on to the next committee to await the next hearing and vote.
So what did the proponents of the bill have to say about Florida locksmiths and the Florida locksmith industry? You’d be surprised. I know I was.
My next post will reveal how the proponents of the bill answered the 14 questions of the “Sunrise Questionnaire for Groups Seeking New Regulation.” Exactly who are these proponents? How accurate was their assessment of the locksmith industry in Florida or did they over-inflate the problems and their representation of the industry? Did they mischaracterize Florida locksmiths or were they spot on? More importantly, what did they neglect to mention?
The next post is a long one because not only are the questions and answers listed, but interviews with legislative staff and investigative research has been provided as to the validity of the proponents’ claims.
If you haven’t signed up for this blog by email, please do so now. Watch for this next post, print it out and take time to read it. Then be ready next November to take a stand should a new bill be filed. Visit your representatives when they hold campaign events this summer or in their district offices – it’s a much shorter trip than driving to Tallahassee.
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 session, the bills looked all but dead. Then former Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOA) President Ken Kupferman sent out an urgent email asking Florida locksmiths to call House Speaker Larry Cretual and Majority Leader Adam Hasner and “ask them to bring our bill to the House Floor for a vote.”
What was going on? Had something been missed? How could asking Cretual and Hasner to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote have helped when it still had so far to go in the Senate? What would that have accomplished?
Plenty, as it turns out!
According to Jaryn Emhof, Communications Director for Senate President Jeff Atwater, “when a bill in the House and the Senate is identical (as was the case with HB 301 and SB 658) , and, if a deal has been made between the sponsors, should the bill pass one Chamber, it can automatically be passed in the other Chamber.”
Did Rep. Thomas Anderson (R) and Senator Victor Crist (R), (both sponsors in 2009 and 2010), reach an agreement either before or during the 2010 session? It’s possible. If it had been brought to the floor for a vote, in all likelihood, it would have passed, sidestepping the 5 remaining committee hearings.
So that may be the reason for Kupferman’s final urgent emails. It’s also a good reason why those who oppose legislation, any legislation, need to travel to Tallahassee to speak at committee hearings at the beginning of March to stop any unwanted legislation.
I did take Kupferman’s email seriously and called and sent faxes to Cretual and Hasner, but not in support of the bill. This course of action, however, was frustrating, and, I believe, not very effective at this point in the process. When I asked legislative staff answering the phones how they verify that those calling in to express their opinions are Florida residents, they said there was no way they could do that. Since ALOA has about 4,000 to 5,000 nationwide members, it was very disconcerning especially knowing what I already knew about their approach to this legislation.
Knowing how the system works empowers constituents
So how does a bill get started? Generally, interested Floridians approach their representatives in the Senate and the House to suggest a new regulation. Things usually begin happening far in advance of the March to April 60-day session when legislators actually vote on bills.
Bills are filed in November and then referred to councils or committees for discussion. November through March is the best time for constituents to visit their representatives in their district offices and voice their opinion about pending legislation. The second best opportunity for the opposition to voice their opinions is when the committee meetings begin in March. Until then, it’s possible that Representatives and Senators only know what the proponents of the bill have said.
Proponents are usually better organized and funded and are able to hire lobbyists. They and their lobbyist have already been visiting legislators in their districts offices and at campaign events. They even hold events packed with supporters of the bill and invite legislators to attend “to hear what the average locksmith thinks about the bill.”
If no one speaks against the bill at the committee meetings in Tallahassee, as happened in this case, then the bills are favorably passed by majority vote on to the next committee to await the next hearing and vote.
So what did the proponents of the bill have to say about Florida locksmiths and the Florida locksmith industry? You’d be surprised. I know I was.
My next post will reveal how the proponents of the bill answered the 14 questions of the “Sunrise Questionnaire for Groups Seeking New Regulation.” Exactly who are these proponents? How accurate was their assessment of the locksmith industry in Florida or did they over-inflate the problems and their representation of the industry? Did they mischaracterize Florida locksmiths or were they spot on? More importantly, what did they neglect to mention?
The next post is a long one because not only are the questions and answers listed, but interviews with legislative staff and investigative research has been provided as to the validity of the proponents’ claims.
If you haven’t signed up for this blog by email, please do so now. Watch for this next post, print it out and take time to read it. Then be ready next November to take a stand should a new bill be filed. Visit your representatives when they hold campaign events this summer or in their district offices – it’s a much shorter trip than driving to Tallahassee.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
National policy expert gives pending Florida locksmith law a thumbs down
I 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 television and radio broadcasts, Berlau writes for numerous news publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and Investor’s Business Daily. He is the Director of the Center of Investors and Entrepreneurs for CEI and graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and economics. For more information about Berlau and the Competitive Enterprise Institute, go to http://cei.org or www.cei.org.
Barbara Martin: So, Mr. Berlau, what did you think about the pending locksmith law in Florida now that you’ve had a chance to analyze it?
John Berlau: Nobel Prize winner in Economics Milton Friedman had written that the real effects of licensing, though often justified by proponents in the name of safety and security, is to serve the self-interest of members of a powerful industry group and to lock out competition. This group will then raise the rates, raise the wages and raise the prices to the advantage of the group benefiting from the law.
It seems like what Friedman wrote fits this bill.
The big issue is that the costly hours for mandatory training puts up a barrier for competition, raises prices for consumers and may actually be unconstitutional.
There are definitely some constitutional issues here. The Fourteenth Amendment states that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty and property without due process of law. To practice your trade is a liberty and this bill takes that away without due process of law and it just states that you can’t be a locksmith. There have been some court challenges based on this amendment and recently courts have been friendlier to economic liberty.
Martin: The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) has provided the framework for the bill including the mandatory training. You can see a sample bill on their site which they make available for local locksmith associations to present to legislators as a guide. All they really need is one association in the state to work with them. While there are thousands of locksmiths in the state of Florida (estimates of about 3,000*), ALOA only lists 234 Florida members on its site (268 if you count duplicate business listings), yet ALOA’s members and their certified trainers in Florida are spearheading and pushing the legislation probably because a good part of their income is derived from providing training programs and trainers.
Berlau: ALOA should operate like AAA (the American Automobile Association) and other organizations in their ratings of businesses such as hotels. It is fine for ALOA to perform such a service, but as with AAA hotel ratings, it should be voluntary. ALOA is free to advertise to the market, to make the case to consumers that its members who complete their training are more qualified. They are free to use that power of persuasion, but they shouldn’t use the power of big government to both coerce locksmiths and consumers into their cartel and fill their coffers.
Martin: Another reason, no doubt, ALOA is involved is because of the locksmith scammer problems we’ve had, although with the arrest of a major player, call center owner David Peer in November, that problem seems to have to subsided. I’m seeing more legitimate locksmith ads and listings on the Internet and the phone directories are working on the problem as well. The latest books I received had no scammer advertising in it, but the listings still needed work.
Berlau: These problems all get into the issue of fraud. You wouldn’t need all this required training to solve fraud problems. All that’s needed are the false advertising laws already on the books. There are going to be scam artists out there. This law affects the law-abiding. They just need to beef up the fraud laws or enforce the laws already on the books. I’m sure Florida has a number of fraud laws on the books, bait and switch, - whatever - you can get them on any one of those laws and if they cross state lines it would involve federal laws.
Ultimately, Florida locksmiths should have the liberty to practice their trade without unreasonable restrictions. It seems all that would be necessary would be a simple background check to prevent criminals from becoming locksmiths.
While I generally believe that fingerprinting violates privacy rights, civil liberties and the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition of unreasonable search and seizures, there is an issue of public safety here. Still, I’m not sure if the safety interests here justify fingerprinting. If fingerprints are collected, though, access to the fingerprint registry needs to be strictly controlled to prevent abuses.
Martin: Thank you so much for your interview. You've effectively defined what a lot of locksmiths are saying and feeling.
Berlau: Anytime. Please keep me informed. This is an issue CEI would like to follow.
*Note: One good thing about blogs is that when you make a mistake you can fix it quickly. I previously over estimated the number of locksmiths in Florida. The number is closer to 3,000.
Barbara Martin: So, Mr. Berlau, what did you think about the pending locksmith law in Florida now that you’ve had a chance to analyze it?
John Berlau: Nobel Prize winner in Economics Milton Friedman had written that the real effects of licensing, though often justified by proponents in the name of safety and security, is to serve the self-interest of members of a powerful industry group and to lock out competition. This group will then raise the rates, raise the wages and raise the prices to the advantage of the group benefiting from the law.
It seems like what Friedman wrote fits this bill.
The big issue is that the costly hours for mandatory training puts up a barrier for competition, raises prices for consumers and may actually be unconstitutional.
There are definitely some constitutional issues here. The Fourteenth Amendment states that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty and property without due process of law. To practice your trade is a liberty and this bill takes that away without due process of law and it just states that you can’t be a locksmith. There have been some court challenges based on this amendment and recently courts have been friendlier to economic liberty.
Martin: The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) has provided the framework for the bill including the mandatory training. You can see a sample bill on their site which they make available for local locksmith associations to present to legislators as a guide. All they really need is one association in the state to work with them. While there are thousands of locksmiths in the state of Florida (estimates of about 3,000*), ALOA only lists 234 Florida members on its site (268 if you count duplicate business listings), yet ALOA’s members and their certified trainers in Florida are spearheading and pushing the legislation probably because a good part of their income is derived from providing training programs and trainers.
Berlau: ALOA should operate like AAA (the American Automobile Association) and other organizations in their ratings of businesses such as hotels. It is fine for ALOA to perform such a service, but as with AAA hotel ratings, it should be voluntary. ALOA is free to advertise to the market, to make the case to consumers that its members who complete their training are more qualified. They are free to use that power of persuasion, but they shouldn’t use the power of big government to both coerce locksmiths and consumers into their cartel and fill their coffers.
Martin: Another reason, no doubt, ALOA is involved is because of the locksmith scammer problems we’ve had, although with the arrest of a major player, call center owner David Peer in November, that problem seems to have to subsided. I’m seeing more legitimate locksmith ads and listings on the Internet and the phone directories are working on the problem as well. The latest books I received had no scammer advertising in it, but the listings still needed work.
Berlau: These problems all get into the issue of fraud. You wouldn’t need all this required training to solve fraud problems. All that’s needed are the false advertising laws already on the books. There are going to be scam artists out there. This law affects the law-abiding. They just need to beef up the fraud laws or enforce the laws already on the books. I’m sure Florida has a number of fraud laws on the books, bait and switch, - whatever - you can get them on any one of those laws and if they cross state lines it would involve federal laws.
Ultimately, Florida locksmiths should have the liberty to practice their trade without unreasonable restrictions. It seems all that would be necessary would be a simple background check to prevent criminals from becoming locksmiths.
While I generally believe that fingerprinting violates privacy rights, civil liberties and the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition of unreasonable search and seizures, there is an issue of public safety here. Still, I’m not sure if the safety interests here justify fingerprinting. If fingerprints are collected, though, access to the fingerprint registry needs to be strictly controlled to prevent abuses.
Martin: Thank you so much for your interview. You've effectively defined what a lot of locksmiths are saying and feeling.
Berlau: Anytime. Please keep me informed. This is an issue CEI would like to follow.
*Note: One good thing about blogs is that when you make a mistake you can fix it quickly. I previously over estimated the number of locksmiths in Florida. The number is closer to 3,000.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Investigations and emails continue
Happy 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 research, documentation, fact-checking, multiple interviews, re-interviews, writing, re-writing several times, then sending it to your editor. By the way, my editor, Carol Leff, is pretty good at not letting anything get by her.
Investigative reports cannot be scheduled for weekly postings as much as I’d like it to happen that way. I usually work on two or more investigations at the same time. If another important story breaks, I’ll mention the publication/reporter and provide a link to it instead of jumping into another investigation. In that way, I can focus on what I feel are the issues of the locksmith industry instead of concerns about a weekly post.
Favorite emails
My favorite emails by far are from locksmiths and consumers who thank me for the work I do. It’s gratifying.
Second on my list of favorite emails are fellow reporters who are working on their own stories about locksmith scammers. TV reporters generally don’t have the time or budget to invest in lengthy investigations. Last fall one news reporter asked how I came up with the figures for my phone directory story. I detailed the interviews and steps taken to get accurate numbers. Since I haven’t seen his story yet, I’m assuming he couldn’t invest the time to investigate in his area. News organizations, both print and TV, are short-staffed and it’s a growing problem in the industry. Many of the posts on news forums deal with the lack of funds for investigations.
Finally, I don’t usually receive emails from an editor of a national locksmith publication complimenting my “solid investigative skills and writing.” (Thanks, Carol, for making me look good!) She asked that I contact her about writing a monthly column for them. About a week later I attempted to get back to her and she was no longer listed on the website for the publication. Yet another staff cutback. C’est la vie!
Bogus locksmith emails
There were several attempts by locksmith scammers to get listed as legitimate locksmiths on my www.find-a-legit-locksmith.com when it was up. I also get comments from scammers trying to post comments to my blog posts. I guess they think I’ll list them or post their comments with a link to their business without checking them out first. Not likely. One Miami locksmith scammer wanted to get listed so I asked for his locksmith license (required in Dade County). Never heard from him again.
Anonymous emails
An anonymous email from my www.find-a-legit-locksmith.com site showed up in my inbox last year. Some one sure was mad at a Spring Hill locksmith. They passed on his name, business name, address and phone number along with information that he was a convicted felon, drug addict and had protection orders out on him. Ouch! That sounds personal.
So was it true? I don’t know. I did some initial checking but the locksmith had a fairly common name and no birth date was given. He was not legally registered in Hernando County with a business license and there was no response to my email to the sender. I did find two criminal cases for someone with his name – one case did not end in a conviction and the other was really bizarre. A 2006 drug possession case was suddenly closed and a death certificate was entered into the court records. So I’m thinking that wasn’t him. Sometimes investigations just dead end.
I had just about decided not to waste my time investigating any more anonymous email writers when I got one from a former employee of David Peer of Dependable Locks, Inc. Peer owned the Florida locksmith call center that sent out phony locksmiths. After several email interviews, my editor and I decided the timing wasn’t right to release the story. We needed more than one source to verify the story, plus we couldn’t risk the informant (or myself) becoming a target of these criminal enterprises types who use lawsuits, death threats and other intimidation practices to silence those who attempt to expose them. Some of what this informant, (who later revealed part of his identity), told me was uncovered in court documents during Peer’s arrest last November. The rest, I’ll leave for another post.
Write me if you have a particular topic you want to see covered.
In the meantime, Happy St. Patty’s Day!
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 research, documentation, fact-checking, multiple interviews, re-interviews, writing, re-writing several times, then sending it to your editor. By the way, my editor, Carol Leff, is pretty good at not letting anything get by her.
Investigative reports cannot be scheduled for weekly postings as much as I’d like it to happen that way. I usually work on two or more investigations at the same time. If another important story breaks, I’ll mention the publication/reporter and provide a link to it instead of jumping into another investigation. In that way, I can focus on what I feel are the issues of the locksmith industry instead of concerns about a weekly post.
Favorite emails
My favorite emails by far are from locksmiths and consumers who thank me for the work I do. It’s gratifying.
Second on my list of favorite emails are fellow reporters who are working on their own stories about locksmith scammers. TV reporters generally don’t have the time or budget to invest in lengthy investigations. Last fall one news reporter asked how I came up with the figures for my phone directory story. I detailed the interviews and steps taken to get accurate numbers. Since I haven’t seen his story yet, I’m assuming he couldn’t invest the time to investigate in his area. News organizations, both print and TV, are short-staffed and it’s a growing problem in the industry. Many of the posts on news forums deal with the lack of funds for investigations.
Finally, I don’t usually receive emails from an editor of a national locksmith publication complimenting my “solid investigative skills and writing.” (Thanks, Carol, for making me look good!) She asked that I contact her about writing a monthly column for them. About a week later I attempted to get back to her and she was no longer listed on the website for the publication. Yet another staff cutback. C’est la vie!
Bogus locksmith emails
There were several attempts by locksmith scammers to get listed as legitimate locksmiths on my www.find-a-legit-locksmith.com when it was up. I also get comments from scammers trying to post comments to my blog posts. I guess they think I’ll list them or post their comments with a link to their business without checking them out first. Not likely. One Miami locksmith scammer wanted to get listed so I asked for his locksmith license (required in Dade County). Never heard from him again.
Anonymous emails
An anonymous email from my www.find-a-legit-locksmith.com site showed up in my inbox last year. Some one sure was mad at a Spring Hill locksmith. They passed on his name, business name, address and phone number along with information that he was a convicted felon, drug addict and had protection orders out on him. Ouch! That sounds personal.
So was it true? I don’t know. I did some initial checking but the locksmith had a fairly common name and no birth date was given. He was not legally registered in Hernando County with a business license and there was no response to my email to the sender. I did find two criminal cases for someone with his name – one case did not end in a conviction and the other was really bizarre. A 2006 drug possession case was suddenly closed and a death certificate was entered into the court records. So I’m thinking that wasn’t him. Sometimes investigations just dead end.
I had just about decided not to waste my time investigating any more anonymous email writers when I got one from a former employee of David Peer of Dependable Locks, Inc. Peer owned the Florida locksmith call center that sent out phony locksmiths. After several email interviews, my editor and I decided the timing wasn’t right to release the story. We needed more than one source to verify the story, plus we couldn’t risk the informant (or myself) becoming a target of these criminal enterprises types who use lawsuits, death threats and other intimidation practices to silence those who attempt to expose them. Some of what this informant, (who later revealed part of his identity), told me was uncovered in court documents during Peer’s arrest last November. The rest, I’ll leave for another post.
Write me if you have a particular topic you want to see covered.
In the meantime, Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Locksmith dies of wounds received in robbery
Reporter 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=2009910310305
http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910310305
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tennessee locksmith in critical condition after being robbed and shot in the face
The 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/article/20091029/NEWS01/910290304/Locksmith+shot++condition+critical
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20091029/NEWS01/910290304/Locksmith+shot++condition+critical
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Locksmiths should get listed with ALOA, LegalLocksmiths.com and/or local associations
I 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 the “locksmith” scammers had not and would not bother to get a business license. I was wrong.
According to Larry Friberg, co-founder of LegalLocksmiths.com, phony locksmiths are now obtaining business licenses and then attempting (unsuccessfully) to use them to gain membership with his organization. Friberg and his partner do a comprehensive background check on those who apply and lists those who qualify.
Since I didn’t have the time or resources to verify how credible my listings were, I removed them and linked both my site and my blog to LegalLocksmiths.com at http://www.legallocksmiths.com/ and ALOA’s (Associated Locksmiths of America) site which lists locksmiths at http://www.findalocksmith.com/.
While LegalLocksmiths.com charges $25 for membership (which pays for the background check), the only benefit is getting listed on their website and, at the same time, supporting their mission to combat this national scourge of phony locksmiths.
According to ALOA’s website, membership costs $195 annually plus a $50 application fee. Membership includes a free bond, discounts on services, education, supplies and conference fees and a monthly magazine. While ALOA’s background check may not be as extensive the one as LegalLocksmiths.com does, they do require a recommendation from a sponsoring locksmith member. ALOA’s fees may be out of reach for the average locksmith right now especially while locksmiths endure the double-whammy of a down economy and losing significant market share to phony locksmiths. Still, locksmiths should consider membership.
Local locksmith associations also do a great job backgrounding and listing legitimate locksmiths. Unfortunately, most of the association websites I’ve seen are not user-friendly so it’s difficult for the average consumer to easily find a locksmith. In addition, most association names are not SEO-friendly (Search Engine Optimization) which means associations don’t show up early on an Internet search. ALOA and LegalLocksmiths.com have both user-friendly and SEO-friendly websites.
Discouraging news
Friberg, a former law enforcement officer, and his partner, by the way, are really sticking their necks out by standing up to this major threat to the locksmith industry. According to published news reports, local and federal police agencies believe the phony locksmiths (hired by call-center owners), are connected to organized crime, started in Chicago, have been entrenched in the U.S. for more than 12 years and are here for the long haul. It's a very serious situation. Local law enforcement are helpful and some state attorney generals are beginning to file lawsuits against the call-center owners, but federal agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security are pouring resources into terrorist threats much to the neglect of domestic problems. Unfortunately, anyone who does stand up to this scourge can expect to be either sued, face the threat of being sued, receive death threats or all of the above.
According to news stories, there are about 6 to 8 call centers around the country including one in Florida. (See my April 5th blog post “Missouri Attorney General sues Florida Locksmith Company.”) It’s estimated that these call centers each average 400+ JOBS A DAY!!! That is more than 12,000 per month and is a HUGE loss to local locksmiths around the state.
The best thing locksmiths can do, besides educating the public, is to encourage those who are on the frontlines of the battle such as LegalLocksmiths.com by supporting them and, of course, pray for their safety along with anyone else who stands up against the scamming call-center owners. The $25 a year fee is not too much to ask to support them while at the same time enhancing one’s own credentials. Locksmiths should, of course, get involved with their local and national associations.
I had assumed the “locksmith” scammers had not and would not bother to get a business license. I was wrong.
According to Larry Friberg, co-founder of LegalLocksmiths.com, phony locksmiths are now obtaining business licenses and then attempting (unsuccessfully) to use them to gain membership with his organization. Friberg and his partner do a comprehensive background check on those who apply and lists those who qualify.
Since I didn’t have the time or resources to verify how credible my listings were, I removed them and linked both my site and my blog to LegalLocksmiths.com at http://www.legallocksmiths.com/ and ALOA’s (Associated Locksmiths of America) site which lists locksmiths at http://www.findalocksmith.com/.
While LegalLocksmiths.com charges $25 for membership (which pays for the background check), the only benefit is getting listed on their website and, at the same time, supporting their mission to combat this national scourge of phony locksmiths.
According to ALOA’s website, membership costs $195 annually plus a $50 application fee. Membership includes a free bond, discounts on services, education, supplies and conference fees and a monthly magazine. While ALOA’s background check may not be as extensive the one as LegalLocksmiths.com does, they do require a recommendation from a sponsoring locksmith member. ALOA’s fees may be out of reach for the average locksmith right now especially while locksmiths endure the double-whammy of a down economy and losing significant market share to phony locksmiths. Still, locksmiths should consider membership.
Local locksmith associations also do a great job backgrounding and listing legitimate locksmiths. Unfortunately, most of the association websites I’ve seen are not user-friendly so it’s difficult for the average consumer to easily find a locksmith. In addition, most association names are not SEO-friendly (Search Engine Optimization) which means associations don’t show up early on an Internet search. ALOA and LegalLocksmiths.com have both user-friendly and SEO-friendly websites.
Discouraging news
Friberg, a former law enforcement officer, and his partner, by the way, are really sticking their necks out by standing up to this major threat to the locksmith industry. According to published news reports, local and federal police agencies believe the phony locksmiths (hired by call-center owners), are connected to organized crime, started in Chicago, have been entrenched in the U.S. for more than 12 years and are here for the long haul. It's a very serious situation. Local law enforcement are helpful and some state attorney generals are beginning to file lawsuits against the call-center owners, but federal agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security are pouring resources into terrorist threats much to the neglect of domestic problems. Unfortunately, anyone who does stand up to this scourge can expect to be either sued, face the threat of being sued, receive death threats or all of the above.
According to news stories, there are about 6 to 8 call centers around the country including one in Florida. (See my April 5th blog post “Missouri Attorney General sues Florida Locksmith Company.”) It’s estimated that these call centers each average 400+ JOBS A DAY!!! That is more than 12,000 per month and is a HUGE loss to local locksmiths around the state.
The best thing locksmiths can do, besides educating the public, is to encourage those who are on the frontlines of the battle such as LegalLocksmiths.com by supporting them and, of course, pray for their safety along with anyone else who stands up against the scamming call-center owners. The $25 a year fee is not too much to ask to support them while at the same time enhancing one’s own credentials. Locksmiths should, of course, get involved with their local and national associations.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Can 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 due to improper hardware they installed.
In addition, state legislators developing locksmith laws have been including continuing education classes and specifying classes in fire and life safety codes knowledge.
DHI’s Director of Technical Services Keith E. Pardoe wrote a guide for AHJs (Authority Having Jurisdiction) entitled, Swinging Fire Doors with Builder’s Hardware. In it he writes that codes are documents designed to ensure buildings are constructed and properly maintained to protect the lives and property of occupants in all types of facilities, be it residential, commercial, industrial, institutional or recreational.
DHI offers a separate certification to become a fire door assembly inspector (FDAI) in a program that encourages annual inspections. Based on an 80-point inspection requirement, DHI provides those who complete the class with an Inspection Report form to use when doing inspections. Building owners will be able to keep the paperwork on file to show they are in compliance with code requirements.
Pardoe, who I had the opportunity to interview at the convention, believes it would be a good fit for locksmiths. After all, who better to first alert a customer to a fire and life safety issue than a locksmith instead of any number of AHJs including building or fire inspectors or code enforcement officers?
According to Pardoe, only about 5 or 6 locksmiths per year out of 600 annual participants take any of their classes. Those who do generally take classes related to electrified hardware instead of a code class. DHI’s 24-hour class Using Codes and Standards cost $1,050 for members and $1,305 for non-members. The fire door assembly inspector class costs $2245 for members and $2745 for non-members. Prerequisites to taking the class are 4 other DHI courses. Initial membership in DHI for individuals is about $500 for various fees, but only $250 per year to renew.
The least expensive way for commercial locksmiths to obtain this necessary knowledge is through a local locksmith association. Local associations can contact Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Education Coordinator Kerry Eppler to set up their 8-hour code training session. Eppler said ALOA acts as a liaison for locksmith associations by providing qualified trainers and materials. When asked about pricing, she said, ALOA charges the association for the trainer’s fee, plus travel and accommodations and course materials. Prices can vary according to those expenses. The locksmith association, in turn, sets the price for the course contingent upon what ALOA charges and any other expenses the association may incur such as renting facilities, etc. Eppler gave an example of an upcoming 8-hour fire and life safety course for the New Mexico Locksmith Association. The class costs $150 for members ($170 for non-members), plus $45 for the book.
ALOA’s 8-hour class no doubt meets the necessary criteria for continuing education and knowledge that an average commercial locksmith would need. Pardoe’s mention, however, of the FDAI certification may open up an untapped market for locksmiths who invest the time and money to acquire the certification.
For more information about DHI’s programs, go to http://www.dhi.org/. For more information about ALOA’s programs, go to http://www.aloa.org/.
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 due to improper hardware they installed.
In addition, state legislators developing locksmith laws have been including continuing education classes and specifying classes in fire and life safety codes knowledge.
DHI’s Director of Technical Services Keith E. Pardoe wrote a guide for AHJs (Authority Having Jurisdiction) entitled, Swinging Fire Doors with Builder’s Hardware. In it he writes that codes are documents designed to ensure buildings are constructed and properly maintained to protect the lives and property of occupants in all types of facilities, be it residential, commercial, industrial, institutional or recreational.
DHI offers a separate certification to become a fire door assembly inspector (FDAI) in a program that encourages annual inspections. Based on an 80-point inspection requirement, DHI provides those who complete the class with an Inspection Report form to use when doing inspections. Building owners will be able to keep the paperwork on file to show they are in compliance with code requirements.
Pardoe, who I had the opportunity to interview at the convention, believes it would be a good fit for locksmiths. After all, who better to first alert a customer to a fire and life safety issue than a locksmith instead of any number of AHJs including building or fire inspectors or code enforcement officers?
According to Pardoe, only about 5 or 6 locksmiths per year out of 600 annual participants take any of their classes. Those who do generally take classes related to electrified hardware instead of a code class. DHI’s 24-hour class Using Codes and Standards cost $1,050 for members and $1,305 for non-members. The fire door assembly inspector class costs $2245 for members and $2745 for non-members. Prerequisites to taking the class are 4 other DHI courses. Initial membership in DHI for individuals is about $500 for various fees, but only $250 per year to renew.
The least expensive way for commercial locksmiths to obtain this necessary knowledge is through a local locksmith association. Local associations can contact Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Education Coordinator Kerry Eppler to set up their 8-hour code training session. Eppler said ALOA acts as a liaison for locksmith associations by providing qualified trainers and materials. When asked about pricing, she said, ALOA charges the association for the trainer’s fee, plus travel and accommodations and course materials. Prices can vary according to those expenses. The locksmith association, in turn, sets the price for the course contingent upon what ALOA charges and any other expenses the association may incur such as renting facilities, etc. Eppler gave an example of an upcoming 8-hour fire and life safety course for the New Mexico Locksmith Association. The class costs $150 for members ($170 for non-members), plus $45 for the book.
ALOA’s 8-hour class no doubt meets the necessary criteria for continuing education and knowledge that an average commercial locksmith would need. Pardoe’s mention, however, of the FDAI certification may open up an untapped market for locksmiths who invest the time and money to acquire the certification.
For more information about DHI’s programs, go to http://www.dhi.org/. For more information about ALOA’s programs, go to http://www.aloa.org/.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Locksmiths break in and burglarize storage facilities and businesses
Alabama 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, Georgia and Florida.
The Marianna (FL) Police Department cracked the case when they investigated the burglary of one of the storage facilities located next door to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Since the facility was within the city limits, Marianna PD sent officers to Alabama and spoke with Chitwood who admitted his crimes. Lt. Francis Davis of Marianna PD said the man was cooperative.
Authorities in Houston County, Ala. where the locksmith lives are holding a semi-tractor trailer full of items he took from various places while police in several jurisdictions look for additional victims.
Chitwood was not working as a locksmith when he lost his job, but was in another line of work. According to personnel at the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure which licenses locksmiths, Chitwood had never registered as a locksmith. Locksmith laws came into effect in Alabama in 2007. Whether he couldn’t afford the initial cost of getting a license (about $500 total) or just not been able to pass a criminal background check, it looks like he won’t be passing one in the future.
In a separate incident and for the second time, a locksmith van was seen leaving a Penngrove, Calif. business that had been burglarized. A cleaning woman who arrived as the van was leaving, called the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to report the ATM machine inside the Penngrove Pub had been broken in to.
According to Sheriff’s Investigator Sgt. Glenn Lawrence, a total of $1,200 was taken from the ATM, cash register and office. Lawrence said the case is an ongoing investigation and they are looking at the surveillance video to see if they can further identify the ski-masked burglar. Besides the mask and ski-vest, the video shows him to be a short, white male.
LeRae Meadows, who covered the story for EmpireReport.com, interviewed a former law enforcement official who believed the burglar was “an obvious professional” due to his ease with opening the exit door without leaving any evidence of a break-in and his ability to drill open the ATM.
Lawrence, however, said, “I wouldn’t say it was an obvious professional. What is obvious is that someone had some knowledge of that machine and how to defeat it.”
According to Meadows’ reports, the Penngrove business community has had 4 burglaries all on Main Street in the last few months. After another one of the burglaries, a Main Street business owner had also reported seeing a suspicious locksmith van in the area.
For more information or to read Meadows’ stories, go to:
Penngrove robbery fourth in town
http://empirereport.org/reports/20090804-penngrove-pub-robbery-fourth-in-town
Penngrove community fears further robberies
http://empirereport.org/reports/20090805-penngrove-community-fears-further-robberies-as-further-details-come-out
For more information or to read Buckhalter’s story, go to:
http://www2.jcfloridan.com/jcf/news/local/article/locksmith_turned_burglar_charged/86420
The Marianna (FL) Police Department cracked the case when they investigated the burglary of one of the storage facilities located next door to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Since the facility was within the city limits, Marianna PD sent officers to Alabama and spoke with Chitwood who admitted his crimes. Lt. Francis Davis of Marianna PD said the man was cooperative.
Authorities in Houston County, Ala. where the locksmith lives are holding a semi-tractor trailer full of items he took from various places while police in several jurisdictions look for additional victims.
Chitwood was not working as a locksmith when he lost his job, but was in another line of work. According to personnel at the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure which licenses locksmiths, Chitwood had never registered as a locksmith. Locksmith laws came into effect in Alabama in 2007. Whether he couldn’t afford the initial cost of getting a license (about $500 total) or just not been able to pass a criminal background check, it looks like he won’t be passing one in the future.
In a separate incident and for the second time, a locksmith van was seen leaving a Penngrove, Calif. business that had been burglarized. A cleaning woman who arrived as the van was leaving, called the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to report the ATM machine inside the Penngrove Pub had been broken in to.
According to Sheriff’s Investigator Sgt. Glenn Lawrence, a total of $1,200 was taken from the ATM, cash register and office. Lawrence said the case is an ongoing investigation and they are looking at the surveillance video to see if they can further identify the ski-masked burglar. Besides the mask and ski-vest, the video shows him to be a short, white male.
LeRae Meadows, who covered the story for EmpireReport.com, interviewed a former law enforcement official who believed the burglar was “an obvious professional” due to his ease with opening the exit door without leaving any evidence of a break-in and his ability to drill open the ATM.
Lawrence, however, said, “I wouldn’t say it was an obvious professional. What is obvious is that someone had some knowledge of that machine and how to defeat it.”
According to Meadows’ reports, the Penngrove business community has had 4 burglaries all on Main Street in the last few months. After another one of the burglaries, a Main Street business owner had also reported seeing a suspicious locksmith van in the area.
For more information or to read Meadows’ stories, go to:
Penngrove robbery fourth in town
http://empirereport.org/reports/20090804-penngrove-pub-robbery-fourth-in-town
Penngrove community fears further robberies
http://empirereport.org/reports/20090805-penngrove-community-fears-further-robberies-as-further-details-come-out
For more information or to read Buckhalter’s story, go to:
http://www2.jcfloridan.com/jcf/news/local/article/locksmith_turned_burglar_charged/86420
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Oregon next state to lock out 1-800-LocksmithScammers
Oregon 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 phone directories and Internet with hundreds (and thousands) of bogus business listings. Unknowingly consumers have called the imposters thinking they were calling a legitimate locksmith.
According to the bill, the Board would be established within the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) that now licenses locksmith businesses but not individuals. The new Board would adopt rules concerning the passing of a competency test, background and fingerprint checks, continuing education standards, fees and penalties for violations – all with a deadline of July 1, 2010. Until then the CCB must make locksmith certification available no later than Jan. 1, 2010.
Ernie Blatz is licensed by the CCB. He is also the President of the Pacific Locksmith Association (PLA), owner of Ernie’s Locks and Keys in The Dalles and has been in the field more than 20 years. He said the PLA has a membership of 70-80 locksmiths from 4 states: Oregon, (South West) Washington, Idaho and (Northern) California.
Blatz said one problem with being licensed with the CCB was that all the continuing education is geared toward contractors. “We just want to be able to get accredited classes through the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA),” he said.
“It wasn’t just the 1-800-LocksmithScammer that was the problem,” said Republican State Representative John Huffman, who sponsored the bill. “There are very serious breaches of security going on and the consumer doesn’t even realize there is a problem.”
Huffman cited the following case relayed to him by a locksmith who had been hired to rekey a 12-unit apartment complex. For many years, the manager rekeyed and maintained the lock system at the complex. The locksmith, however, discovered the pinning system was flawed. Every laundry room key, which the tenants each had, was actually also a master key to the entire complex.
Huffman feels confident the governor will sign the bill, if not; the process to pass a locksmith law will begin next March 2010 when the Oregon legislature meets again.
As of today’s post the bill was not signed. However, Jillian Schoene, the Governor’s Deputy Communications Director, said she expected the bill to be signed within the next few weeks.
The sub-contractors, working for call centers, defraud consumers with shoddy workmanship and bait-and-switch schemes. They have overwhelmed the phone directories and Internet with hundreds (and thousands) of bogus business listings. Unknowingly consumers have called the imposters thinking they were calling a legitimate locksmith.
According to the bill, the Board would be established within the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) that now licenses locksmith businesses but not individuals. The new Board would adopt rules concerning the passing of a competency test, background and fingerprint checks, continuing education standards, fees and penalties for violations – all with a deadline of July 1, 2010. Until then the CCB must make locksmith certification available no later than Jan. 1, 2010.
Ernie Blatz is licensed by the CCB. He is also the President of the Pacific Locksmith Association (PLA), owner of Ernie’s Locks and Keys in The Dalles and has been in the field more than 20 years. He said the PLA has a membership of 70-80 locksmiths from 4 states: Oregon, (South West) Washington, Idaho and (Northern) California.
Blatz said one problem with being licensed with the CCB was that all the continuing education is geared toward contractors. “We just want to be able to get accredited classes through the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA),” he said.
“It wasn’t just the 1-800-LocksmithScammer that was the problem,” said Republican State Representative John Huffman, who sponsored the bill. “There are very serious breaches of security going on and the consumer doesn’t even realize there is a problem.”
Huffman cited the following case relayed to him by a locksmith who had been hired to rekey a 12-unit apartment complex. For many years, the manager rekeyed and maintained the lock system at the complex. The locksmith, however, discovered the pinning system was flawed. Every laundry room key, which the tenants each had, was actually also a master key to the entire complex.
Huffman feels confident the governor will sign the bill, if not; the process to pass a locksmith law will begin next March 2010 when the Oregon legislature meets again.
As of today’s post the bill was not signed. However, Jillian Schoene, the Governor’s Deputy Communications Director, said she expected the bill to be signed within the next few weeks.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Reality show casting for family-run locksmith business, deadline 7/24/09
A 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 the business full-time and who are not afraid to be themselves.
The ad states “We look forward to hearing your craziest stories, from naked people locked out of their houses to cracking safes when people forget their combination. Surprise us.”
To find out more about the casting call, go to www.realitywanted.com. You can register for free as a fan or a “star,” to read what scant additional information there is. However, to apply and find out who the casting director is, you must subscribe and pay a $3.99 a month fee (can cancel at any time) AND post personal information (height, weight, gender, education and upload at least one photo). Once you apply for the casting call, other website members can read your profile and vote for whichever applicant they think is best for the position.
I stopped just short of posting personal information trying to find out more details like which company had posted the ad. (No, I was not applying!) The RealityWanted.com website states that “they cannot answer questions about the casting process for particular shows posted since they are posted by casting companies not by RealityWanted.com.” They suggest contacting the casting director who posted the notice.
Deadline to apply is July 24, 2009. Excuse me while I go cancel my subscription.
According to the casting call posted on RealityWanted.com applicants must have at least 2 family members aged 25 – 45 working at the business full-time and who are not afraid to be themselves.
The ad states “We look forward to hearing your craziest stories, from naked people locked out of their houses to cracking safes when people forget their combination. Surprise us.”
To find out more about the casting call, go to www.realitywanted.com. You can register for free as a fan or a “star,” to read what scant additional information there is. However, to apply and find out who the casting director is, you must subscribe and pay a $3.99 a month fee (can cancel at any time) AND post personal information (height, weight, gender, education and upload at least one photo). Once you apply for the casting call, other website members can read your profile and vote for whichever applicant they think is best for the position.
I stopped just short of posting personal information trying to find out more details like which company had posted the ad. (No, I was not applying!) The RealityWanted.com website states that “they cannot answer questions about the casting process for particular shows posted since they are posted by casting companies not by RealityWanted.com.” They suggest contacting the casting director who posted the notice.
Deadline to apply is July 24, 2009. Excuse me while I go cancel my subscription.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Only 5% of locksmiths listed in 3 Central Florida phone directories are legitimate, 15% for a 1-page Internet search
Dell 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 is high especially when he’s including Internet listings. But not having seen any of Denver’s phone directories, we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
I have, however, seen the three phone directories in Central Florida published by Embarq, AT&T and Verizon. With a total 1791 locksmith listings and only 88 legitimately registered locksmiths, that’s a rate of 5 percent. However, since all the legitimate locksmiths are listed at least once in each directory that would bring the total rate to about 15 percent, if you look in all 3 books and who’s going to do that?
As for the Internet, I checked every link on the first page of a Google search for a locksmith in my own city of Altamonte Springs. There are 31 ads and listings – only 5 locksmith listings are legitimately registered in Seminole or Orange County. So that breaks down to about a rate of 16 percent for the Internet.
My survey broke down as follows for the 31 ads/listings:
Legit - Position of ads/listing on 1st page of Google search
0 --- Top 3 Featured Google ads were all bogus or call centers
1 --- Only 1 of the 10 map ads (A-J) lead to a legitimate locksmith
2 --- Only 2 of the 8 side ads were legit, plus there was 1 school, 1 directory
2 --- 10 listings: 2 legitimate locksmiths, 4 directories, 4 bogus locksmiths
The 4 directory ads led to the same process over again - bogus and legitimate locksmith ads and listings together. Will discuss the directories in another blog.
Two of the questionable locksmith ads actually had local Altamonte addresses, so my husband and I went on a field trip. The first locksmith had the name 24 Hour 1 Day Altamonte Springs Emergency Locksmith. (Geez, don’t think you could squeeze in any more keywords into that name.) Their address on Miller Drive was actually a restaurant supply company that had never heard of them.
The second locksmith, Mack’s Locksmith Service, was legit until December when his state and county registrations ran out. We called the owner Bob Jacko when we couldn't find his street location. He told us it was the address for his storage unit. Jacko is legally registered in Orange County as Bob Jacko Locksmith in Apopka. Since Seminole County is a reciprocal county, Jacko's Orange County registration is perfectly legal.
That means he believes 25 percent of locksmiths listed are legitimate. I think his number is high especially when he’s including Internet listings. But not having seen any of Denver’s phone directories, we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
I have, however, seen the three phone directories in Central Florida published by Embarq, AT&T and Verizon. With a total 1791 locksmith listings and only 88 legitimately registered locksmiths, that’s a rate of 5 percent. However, since all the legitimate locksmiths are listed at least once in each directory that would bring the total rate to about 15 percent, if you look in all 3 books and who’s going to do that?
As for the Internet, I checked every link on the first page of a Google search for a locksmith in my own city of Altamonte Springs. There are 31 ads and listings – only 5 locksmith listings are legitimately registered in Seminole or Orange County. So that breaks down to about a rate of 16 percent for the Internet.
My survey broke down as follows for the 31 ads/listings:
Legit - Position of ads/listing on 1st page of Google search
0 --- Top 3 Featured Google ads were all bogus or call centers
1 --- Only 1 of the 10 map ads (A-J) lead to a legitimate locksmith
2 --- Only 2 of the 8 side ads were legit, plus there was 1 school, 1 directory
2 --- 10 listings: 2 legitimate locksmiths, 4 directories, 4 bogus locksmiths
The 4 directory ads led to the same process over again - bogus and legitimate locksmith ads and listings together. Will discuss the directories in another blog.
Two of the questionable locksmith ads actually had local Altamonte addresses, so my husband and I went on a field trip. The first locksmith had the name 24 Hour 1 Day Altamonte Springs Emergency Locksmith. (Geez, don’t think you could squeeze in any more keywords into that name.) Their address on Miller Drive was actually a restaurant supply company that had never heard of them.
The second locksmith, Mack’s Locksmith Service, was legit until December when his state and county registrations ran out. We called the owner Bob Jacko when we couldn't find his street location. He told us it was the address for his storage unit. Jacko is legally registered in Orange County as Bob Jacko Locksmith in Apopka. Since Seminole County is a reciprocal county, Jacko's Orange County registration is perfectly legal.
Friday, June 5, 2009
“Locksmith” uses bogus job ad as new marketing strategy
It’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 them point to my website. I haven’t used bogus marketing techniques to push my site up to page one of a Google search.
Locksmithmiami, however, has a new marketing strategy – to post the same message of a bogus job on hundreds of forum, blog and guest book websites. I’ve tracked the same message on forums for gambling, adoption, young entrepreneurs, Buddhist, anarchist, gaming, appliance repair, writers, tech forums for both MAC’s and PC’s, British, website design and even job forums.
He’s also posted his bogus ad on Korean, French, Spanish and Vietnamese websites – in English, of course. It’s even on The Ethical Hacker forum. Not that I noticed that one before, but if you are going to post a bogus ad at least don’t post it on a site with the word “ethical” in the name. On every profile he lists himself as male and in the USA, except a soul sisters website, then he’s changed his gender - I guess to fit in.
Almost all forums were created within the last few days and most said that he was “offline,” except for one site that said he was online. I was tempted to jump in and ask him a question, but the forum title had such a perverse name I didn’t even want to click on it for fear I’d start getting Google ads flashed on every site that I go on including my homepage. It is possible to read the Google search listing summaries without clicking into the link to see where he’s been.
The forums administrators are beginning to catch on to his trick. I saw where he was banned from some forums including the pornography and sex addict support group - banned permanently, mind you. (so says the Google listing –didn’t go in). Boy, now he’s really in trouble.
Yuck! Who would want to answer a job ad from this guy? Would you want this guy coming to your home rekeying your locks? Not me.
Well, it looks like it’s almost over. He’s been reported several times to Stop Forum Spam with his one user name, his IP address (that’s his computer info) and his multiple email addresses. To see that, here’s the link:
http://www.stopforumspam.com/search?q=locksmithmiami
I did track down his actual website and called both the Miami phone and fax numbers listed and did not get an answer. Now his 866 number is forwarded to another Ft. Lauderdale, FL cell phone that’s not answered.
Locksmithmiami, however, has a new marketing strategy – to post the same message of a bogus job on hundreds of forum, blog and guest book websites. I’ve tracked the same message on forums for gambling, adoption, young entrepreneurs, Buddhist, anarchist, gaming, appliance repair, writers, tech forums for both MAC’s and PC’s, British, website design and even job forums.
He’s also posted his bogus ad on Korean, French, Spanish and Vietnamese websites – in English, of course. It’s even on The Ethical Hacker forum. Not that I noticed that one before, but if you are going to post a bogus ad at least don’t post it on a site with the word “ethical” in the name. On every profile he lists himself as male and in the USA, except a soul sisters website, then he’s changed his gender - I guess to fit in.
Almost all forums were created within the last few days and most said that he was “offline,” except for one site that said he was online. I was tempted to jump in and ask him a question, but the forum title had such a perverse name I didn’t even want to click on it for fear I’d start getting Google ads flashed on every site that I go on including my homepage. It is possible to read the Google search listing summaries without clicking into the link to see where he’s been.
The forums administrators are beginning to catch on to his trick. I saw where he was banned from some forums including the pornography and sex addict support group - banned permanently, mind you. (so says the Google listing –didn’t go in). Boy, now he’s really in trouble.
Yuck! Who would want to answer a job ad from this guy? Would you want this guy coming to your home rekeying your locks? Not me.
Well, it looks like it’s almost over. He’s been reported several times to Stop Forum Spam with his one user name, his IP address (that’s his computer info) and his multiple email addresses. To see that, here’s the link:
http://www.stopforumspam.com/search?q=locksmithmiami
I did track down his actual website and called both the Miami phone and fax numbers listed and did not get an answer. Now his 866 number is forwarded to another Ft. Lauderdale, FL cell phone that’s not answered.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Blagojevich did do something right
Ousted 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 (IDFPR) in its investigation. The company was then based out of New York, but has since relocated to Florida.
The Department also suspended Price Line, based out of New York as well. Both companies listed their businesses with Illinois addresses, advertised their businesses in phone directories and used local phone exchanges and business names in their ads.
Consumers called a local number not realizing the companies had set up Remote Call Forwarding (RCF) numbers with the local phone company that forwarded their calls to call centers in New York.
The call centers then dispatched a sub-contractor to do the work. Illinois law prohibits unlicensed sub-contractors to work as locksmiths. Locksmiths must carry their locksmith license and the agency must also be licensed. Both companies complied with getting a license for their businesses but not for their employees. Not only must the employee pass a background check, they are also required to pass an exam to prove competency as a locksmith. I guess it was too much of an investment for the companies.
The Department also suspended Price Line, based out of New York as well. Both companies listed their businesses with Illinois addresses, advertised their businesses in phone directories and used local phone exchanges and business names in their ads.
Consumers called a local number not realizing the companies had set up Remote Call Forwarding (RCF) numbers with the local phone company that forwarded their calls to call centers in New York.
The call centers then dispatched a sub-contractor to do the work. Illinois law prohibits unlicensed sub-contractors to work as locksmiths. Locksmiths must carry their locksmith license and the agency must also be licensed. Both companies complied with getting a license for their businesses but not for their employees. Not only must the employee pass a background check, they are also required to pass an exam to prove competency as a locksmith. I guess it was too much of an investment for the companies.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Birds of a feather lock together
Dealing with tax collectors and their staff getting the needed information on registered locksmiths has been interesting to say the least. Different counties have different ways of listing or not listing the information.
My all-time favorite site thus far has to be Hernando County. Talk about user-friendly. They have only 19 locksmiths and besides the business name, and address and owner’s name, they list the business phone number – one of the few counties I’m come across that’s done that. The whole list can be easily printed out and stuck in the glove compartment of a car.
Will have to make some calls to see how accurate the listings are. While every listing has a business start date, renewal dates range from 2004 to 2007 when it should be 2009 or later.
There was, however, one suspicious-looking listing – Fancy Feathers & Friends in Brooksville, Fla. I called the owner Frank Haucke who said the business name was correct.
Since I assumed he had a pet shop full-time, I asked if he was doing locksmithing on the side. “No,” he said, “It’s a full-time job. At one time we owned a pet store and when we applied for the license for both businesses the county said we only needed one license.”
“When we closed the pet store, we didn’t change the name,” Haucke said.
Haucke said he had been locksmithing for more than 25 years and all his customers know him.
My all-time favorite site thus far has to be Hernando County. Talk about user-friendly. They have only 19 locksmiths and besides the business name, and address and owner’s name, they list the business phone number – one of the few counties I’m come across that’s done that. The whole list can be easily printed out and stuck in the glove compartment of a car.
Will have to make some calls to see how accurate the listings are. While every listing has a business start date, renewal dates range from 2004 to 2007 when it should be 2009 or later.
There was, however, one suspicious-looking listing – Fancy Feathers & Friends in Brooksville, Fla. I called the owner Frank Haucke who said the business name was correct.
Since I assumed he had a pet shop full-time, I asked if he was doing locksmithing on the side. “No,” he said, “It’s a full-time job. At one time we owned a pet store and when we applied for the license for both businesses the county said we only needed one license.”
“When we closed the pet store, we didn’t change the name,” Haucke said.
Haucke said he had been locksmithing for more than 25 years and all his customers know him.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
New Find-A-Legit-Locksmith site is up
Finally, the new http://www.find-a-legit-locksmith.com/ site is up. I needed a place to begin posting the lists of legally registered or licensed locksmiths and the blog was just not going to be able to handle it.
Did I say in a previous post that I would do this over the weekend? I forgot how graphically challenged I am. I needed grace, grace and more grace. Praise the Lord for templates! Even then it was tough going.
I did have some disappointments along the way gathering information. Most of the agencies have been forthcoming, but I am still waiting on a response from Miami-Dade. The only county in Florida that requires a locksmith license and there is no online access to check someone out before you call them. I was told to email them, which I did 10 days ago but as yet no response. Will follow up with a letter this week and if that doesn’t work I’ll download a sample letter from the Society of Professional Journalists and file a Freedom of Information letter. It’s been a while since I’ve written one of those – need to brush-up on the procedures. The last time I filed one I was trying to obtain information from ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). It was pre-9-11 and it took forever. I can imagine what it’s like now. Well, an FOI letter is a last resort. I think they are just busy, so I’ll keep plugging away on completing the other 60+ counties in Florida while I’m waiting.
Did I say in a previous post that I would do this over the weekend? I forgot how graphically challenged I am. I needed grace, grace and more grace. Praise the Lord for templates! Even then it was tough going.
I did have some disappointments along the way gathering information. Most of the agencies have been forthcoming, but I am still waiting on a response from Miami-Dade. The only county in Florida that requires a locksmith license and there is no online access to check someone out before you call them. I was told to email them, which I did 10 days ago but as yet no response. Will follow up with a letter this week and if that doesn’t work I’ll download a sample letter from the Society of Professional Journalists and file a Freedom of Information letter. It’s been a while since I’ve written one of those – need to brush-up on the procedures. The last time I filed one I was trying to obtain information from ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). It was pre-9-11 and it took forever. I can imagine what it’s like now. Well, an FOI letter is a last resort. I think they are just busy, so I’ll keep plugging away on completing the other 60+ counties in Florida while I’m waiting.
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