The City-County Observer is pleased to announce that they have worked out an arrangement to use the contents published in the online award-winning ProPublica publication.

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with moral force. They dig deep into important issues, shining a light on abuses of power and betrayals of public trust and they stick with those issues as long as it takes to hold power to account. With a team of more than 50 dedicated reporters and editors.

ProPublica covers a range of topics including government and politics, business, criminal justice, the environment, education, healthcare, immigration, and technology. They focus on stories with the potential to spur real-world impact.

Among other positive changes, their reporting has contributed to the passage of new laws; reversals of harmful policies and practices; and accountability for leaders at local, state and national levels. Investigative journalism requires a great deal of time and resources, and many newsrooms can no longer afford to take on this kind of deep-dive reporting.

As a nonprofit, ProPublica work is powered primarily through donations. The vast bulk of the money they spend goes directly into a world-class, award-winning journalism. They are committed to uncovering the truth, no matter how long it takes or how much it costs, and they practice transparent financial reporting so donors know how their dollars are spent.
ProPublica was founded in 2007-2008 with the belief that investigative journalism is critical to our democracy. Their staff remains dedicated to carrying forward the important work of exposing corruption, informing the public about complex issues, and using the power of investigative journalism to spur reform.

Partnerships are one of the ways that ProPublica can seek to maximize the impact of journalism. Since 2008, ProPublica has partnered with hundreds of other news organizations to report, edit, distribute, and create local content around their investigations. In the future, City-County Observer hopes to partner with ProPublica on doing investigative articles on local issues concerning the not so obvious.

FOOTNOTE: The MISSION of ProPublica is to expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions, using the moral force of investigative journalism to spur reform through the sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing.

ProPublica is honored to have been recognized by their peers. ProPublica and members of their staff have been honored for the quality of our work, the ethics of our journalists, and the innovative spirit of our newsroom. Since they began publishing in 2008, ProPublica has received four Pulitzer Prizes, three Peabody Awards, two Emmy Awards, five George Polk Awards, three Online Journalism Awards for General Excellence and a National Magazine Award among others.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of asphalt paving scammers operating in Vanderburgh County. The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office first reported on these fraudulent pavers visting their jurisdiction earlier today.

Paving scams and other forms of home improvement fraud occur when criminals try to pass themselves off as legitimate contractors, offering services at a substantial or unrealistic discount.

Warning Signs

Few reputable contractors sell their services door to door. You should be skeptical of an offer if:

• The contractor claims to have “left over” material from a nearby job.
• The contractor proposes an unrealistic timetable (such as grading, preparing and paving a driveway in one afternoon).
• The contractor does not appear to have the proper equipment for the job.
• The contractor uses high pressure tactics to persuade you.
• The contactor quotes a price that seems too good to be true.
• The contractor is unable or unwilling to provide any references or is not listed with the Better Business Bureau or on file with the Vanderburgh County Building Commission.
• The contractor claims to be from out of town, or claims to be local but his vehicle displays an out of state license plate.

Suggestions

From experience, we offer the following suggestions to help avoid becoming the victim of home improvement fraud or theft:

• Don’t allow a door to door solicitor into your home, period.
• Don’t commit to a home improvement project on the spur of the moment.
• Select a contractor with care. Check with the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau to determine if the contractor you are considering has a history of complaints.
• Deal locally. Use an established contractor with ties to the community.
• Be wary of a low price. Time and material drive the price of any job. If a bid seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Don’t commit to a job unless you have been given a formal bid. Project bids should be in writing and clearly spell out what work is to be performed.
• Indiana law requires written home improvement contracts for jobs exceeding $150.00. Before signing a contract, make certain it clearly defines: the material to be used, the work to be performed, the timetable for completion, and the total price along with provisions for any contingency expenses. Make sure the contractor’s name and contact information appears on the contract. The contractor must sign the contract and leave you a copy.
• Verify the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. Contact the Vanderburgh County Building Commission to verify a contractor’s license is in good standing.
• Avoid paying for a project until the work is completed; if this is unavoidable never pay more than 1/3 of the total cost as a down payment.
• A reputable contractor should guarantee his workmanship. Get a copy of any warranty or guarantee in writing.
• Retain all records related to the project, including any correspondence.

If you have been a victim of home improvement fraud or theft, please call 911. To submit a tip, please click here.