Repair workers need proper credentials

Knock, knock. Who’s there? It’s the repair person, painter, handyman or anyone else you may have hired to work on your home. Spring is around the corner and many homeowners hire help to work on their home.

Whether by word of mouth, Internet or published media, we hire landscapers, contractors or plumbers without ever asking or even checking if these companies/sole proprietors are licensed, bonded and insured. By no means am I attempting to sway you from having a neighbor or friend help you out with a minor home issue.

The crux of what I’m saying is before you have someone work on your home, there may be certain licenses and insurances you should request of them.

If you’re inclined, check with the Boulder City Business License Department to see if the company is licensed in our town. You also can check with the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce or call the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada.

Another reason I mentioned this issue is because a person with an extensive criminal history could be working in your home. Reputable companies conduct background checks on their employees and if the company is bonded, you can be reimbursed for any loss caused by an employee. You never know who wants to stick their hand in the cookie jar.

Let’s get going, “Control, 269 I’ll be 10-8, in service with my friends.”

Feb. 23. A couple is heading to Lake Mead. The moon is gleaming off the lake. The blue and red lights behind the driver approaching Temple Rock Road provoke a different ambiance. The driver had a few too many and the passenger was enjoying a malt liquor beverage. A romantic evening is now two nonadjoining jail cells.

Feb. 24. A victim in the Del Prado area calls to report a vehicle was burglarized. The unknown subjects entered the unlocked vehicle and stole some important keys and identification. The keys and identification belong to a teaching institution. We can all learn this lesson: Lock your car doors.

Feb. 25. An officer finds a car parked near the veterans home in the desert. The couple sitting out of the car is drinking a few tall boys, and they are arguing. The officer separates them, warns them about public intoxication and littering. Thank goodness they weren’t driving. The officer provides a courtesy ride to half the party; the other half is getting a ride from a friend. Now those two are lucky.

Feb. 26. A wife calls to report her soon-to-be ex-husband is threatening to hurt himself. Officers make contact with the subject. The man is distraught and makes a threat to hurt himself with a firearm. Officers take the man to the hospital for evaluation. Great job; tragedy avoided.

Feb. 27. An officer and his trainee are on patrol. The new officer’s keen eyes observe a deer-in-the-headlights look, and then the driver fails to use a turn signal. The driver is stopped. The officer learns the driver is wanted out of Henderson. The search incident to arrest discovers a half a gram of methamphetamine in his pocket. Now we understand the deer look.

Feb. 28. As the sun rises so do Boulder City Police Department narcotics and Henderson SWAT teams. The teams head for the homes near the rear of the Rebel Gas Station. A successful day for the police department and Boulder City residents. Numerous subjects are arrested on numerous criminal charges.

March 1. Officers are dispatched to a domestic disturbance on Arizona Street. Officers arrive to encounter sisters arguing about their deceased mother’s estate. The officers are able to calm everyone down and have the sisters come to an understanding. Difficult times for everyone involved.

As we move into March let’s remember to walk the chalk. As temperatures rise, so do our outdoor activities. Spring break is around the corner, so let’s all be on our best behavior. Thanks for being Boulder City.

Officer Jeffrey Grasso is a 10-year veteran of the Boulder City Police Department. He previously served as a police officer in south Florida for four years.