Home Repair Handymen Often Have Criminal Records, Survey Shows

Background checks essential to prevent crime

DENVER, CO (Monday, July 05, 2004) - Hiring home repair workers without doing a thorough background check can lead to becoming the victim of crime, according to a survey of applicants by Handyman Matters, Inc., a national company that specializes in providing bonded and insured personnel for residences and business.

“Seven out of ten applicants are rejected within 72 hours because of past criminal behavior,” said Andy Bell, president and CEO of Handyman Matters. “It is important to do a thorough background check or have someone do it for you.”

Among the crimes his firm uncovers during these checks are criminal activity and convictions ranging from misdemeanor to felony, including theft, assault, rape, child abuse, possession of narcotics, illegal possession of weapons, and a long list of others.

According to research, nearly two thirds of ex-inmates are re-arrested on serious charges within three years, and 41 percent are re-convicted and returned to prison. These ex-offenders are responsible for more than 300,000 felonies and misdemeanors in the three years after their release.

Women and the elderly need to be especially careful, Bell warned. And thieves don’t always target fancy homes. According to the latest statistics from the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics

· Property crime, not violence, provides the highest percentage of crime against persons age 65 or older.
· Persons in households with an annual income under $75,000 were robbed at a significantly higher rate than persons in households earning more.
· More than nine in ten crimes against the elderly are property crimes.
· In 2002, women were victims of crime 21% of the time.
· 25% of violent crimes occur in or near the victim's home.
· 22% of victims of violent crime reported being involved in some form of leisure activity away from home at the time of their victimization. 23% said they were at home, and another 19% mentioned they were at work or traveling to or from work when the crime occurred.
· Property crime makes up about three-quarters of all crime in the United States.
· Overall, in about 85% of all burglaries, the offender gained entry into the victims residence or other building on the property. Of the 13 million completed thefts of property in 2002, there were 4.2 million property thefts of less than $50, 4.5 million between $50 and $249, and 3.3 million of $250 or more.
Handymen with low rates who are not bonded, licensed, or insured are out there advertising as legitimate companies because most states allow a certain amount of projects around the home to take place without any licensing or regulation, but the risk far outweighs the expense, Bell said. His firm goes through 50 applicants to find one qualified individual to assure customers that the person in the home is qualified and screened.

Handyman Matters specializes in small jobs and light remodeling: such as one-hour projects to bathroom remodels, with all work guaranteed for one year. Each Handyman Matters is licensed, insured, bonded; employee owned and operated offering discounts to senior citizens. Established in Colorado in 1997, the firm has a presence in ____ states nationwide. For more information, visit the company's website at www.handymanmatters.com, or contact Paul Carson at Publicity Matters, Inc. at 954-726-3924 or publicitymatters@earthlink.net.

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