Who's Your Lawn Boy? Let's Hope It's Not Ryan

We recently blogged about lawn care/landscape workers, tree trimmers, etc. Many of those working in these trades have felony convictions, usually for drugs and theft (no white collar crime here). Our friend who was robbed by workers employed to put down new sod after the recent flooding still hasn't been reimbursed by his insurance; his total loss now stands at around $6,000.00.

Shortly after that, a reader stated she wanted to give these men a second chance. Second chances are great, and we believe in them. What about eighth and ninth chances? That gets a little more problematic, doesn't it? We want former addicts to succeed, but we also don't want them robbing any of us blind if they fail. Isn't that just common sense?

According to an alert reader, an arrest this past week brought this point home. On May 25th, probationer Ryan Kent Pollard wrote on his FB page:

On May 29th, he was arrested. His primary charge was a DUI, but a source has told us that he's a suspect in some other "petty" crimes in Lauderdale County. Petty crimes or major crimes, don't be a victim. You work hard for your money, don't simply sit back and say "Oh, well..." when it's stolen from under your grass allergy afflicted noses.

If You Vet Your Office Employees, Why Not Your Landscapers?