A BAD SIGN Westsiders willing to gamble with health for salt air digs Building trust at job sites Rape case leads to questions about safety and hired hands
CITYWIDE With all of the construction that pervades a typical Santa Monica day — the hammering, the grinding, the ear-splitting table saws — residents are liable to close the windows and bury their heads in their high-thread count pillows.
That might be a mistake. On Tuesday, a 17-year-old day laborer plead not guilty to nine felony charges stemming from an incident last month in which a Santa Monica woman was raped and robbed when she returned home late in the evening.
Authorities believe that Luis Mario Lopez, 17, who is being held in lieu of $7 million bail, repeatedly attacked the woman over four hours in her North of Wilshire condominium before making off with her Mercedes.
Lopez, who will be tried as an adult, knew the 42-year-old victim because she had hired him to do some work at her home.Police believe the suspect climbed through a doggy door.
While an isolated incident, there have been other reports of construction workers burglarizing homes, and in at least one instance, a day laborer on 11th Street attempting to assault a young woman who works in the area. The number of incidents are small, police said, but with the increase in construction in Santa Monica — both large and small — chances are, shady workers will strike again and residents need to be prepared.
“I can tell you some real horror stories,” said Lupe Corral, a roofer with more than 30 years of experience who trains union members. “A lot of bad things can happen when you let strangers into your home.
“You need to be aware and take precautions.” That goes for those who are not under construction, but may be living next to a neighbor having work done. A construction worker is around the neighborhood all day long and can easily keep tabs on someone’s routine — when they wake up in the morning, leave for work, and whether or not they come home for lunch.
With that information in hand, they can easily plan a heist without drawing too much attention.
“I didn’t give it much thought, to tell you the truth,” said Margie Dabin, who lives on 26th Street near Ocean Park Boulevard, where workers are putting the finishing touches on a new condominium complex. “The neighbors next door just had their roof done. I just assumed that they hired good people to do the work.”
Dabin made a mistake by assuming. While nothing happened to her or her family, she did hear that a neighbor down the street was burglarized. No one was sure if construction workers were to blame, but it did make Dabin think twice about not checking with her neighbor about the construction.
“It’s just not something I was concerned about,” she said.
Since many homeowners are in the market for independent contractors capable of completing small jobs, such as a kitchen remodel or new roof, chances are they are hiring workers who are not licensed by the state, or who are charging less because they are hiring unscrupulous characters to lay tile or install a window.
Unlicensed contractors are still allowed to work in California, but they can only take jobs that are $500 or less, state officials said.
The Contractors State License Board holds periodic stings around California to catch unlicensed contractors who pass themselves off as being legit, making it harder for those who are to make a living. Licensed contractors go through a comprehensive screening process that includes an examination to test a contractor’s skills and knowledge of the law. They also must go through a background check and be fingerprinted.
“When you hire a licensed contractor, there are much better chances of getting someone who is clean and are trying to do things the right way,” said Pamela Mares, a spokesperson for the state licensing board who has participated in stings to catch unlicensed contractors.
“Unlicensed contractors, those people are scary,” Mares said. “They carry a lot of legal baggage,and when we hold strings, it’s not unusual to get people who are registered sex offenders. We had one guy who was wanted on a murder warrant. It’s easy money. They can take cash and, to consumers, it may sound like a good buy. They see this guy willing to clean up their yard for really cheap, but you are running into people who are skirting the law.
“If they are breaking the law in one area, there’s a very good chance that they are doing it in another area.”
To protect yourself, Mares recommends hiring a licensed contractor. To choose the right one, people should do a lot of research, just as they would if they were buying a car or hiring a baby-sitter to watch their newborn. Get references and follow up with phone calls, Mares said.
Also, check the licensing board’s Web site to see if a licensed contractor has had any complaints or violations filed against them, she suggests.
“A contractor builds their business off of their reputation,” Mares said. “A licensed contractor will more not want to take a chance and hire someone they do not believe is right because they have a lot at stake … If someone files a complaint, we will investigate.”
Once workers are inside your home or next door, it is important to not give them anything to steal. SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla said an important preventive measure is to hide jewelry or money and to keep certain rooms locked during the day.
“Talk to your neighbors,” Padilla said. “If you’re going to have some construction workers there for a few days, let your neighbors know about it. Share with them some information about the contractor and just keep that line of communication open. It’s all about being neighborly.”
Padilla also recommended checking with the Better Business Bureau or the licensing board.
“With the (Internet) today, everything is at the touch of a button,” Padilla said.
Obviously, not all plumbers, pipe fitters and bricklayers are crooks. In fact, some can be very helpful, which is why people should take the time to get to know their workers or, at least, introduce themselves.
Dabin did just that and found the workers at the condominium complex to be very helpful.
“I needed someone to help me move a refrigerator into the house, so I asked them,” she said. “They were very nice and friendly.”
The bottom line is be inquisitive and do research. After that, it is all about being aware and watchful. Even then, you can never know if the people doing work for you are going to do a great job or run off with a family heirloom, said Corral.
“You can hire the contractor and spend all the time you want making sure they have good references and do good work” Corral said. “But in the end, you have to put your trust in them that they will hire the right people.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 11, 2007. Read the original PDF.