You've been careful with your finances for years, saving up for that big project for your house – a remodeled kitchen, or a new pool. But if you're not careful you could lose all that money to an unlicensed contractor and be left with an unfinished product, shoddy work, or maybe nothing at all.

“It's something that we see routinely,” said Corporal Kyle Cruise of the Economic Crimes Unit. “I'd say almost every week we have something with a contractor complaint. People aren't doing their homework before they hire these companies.” 

Just because a company is online doesn't mean they are legitimate and trustworthy. Even if they're the first response to a Google search it doesn't mean they're the best. Sponsored ads often appear at the top – not because they're the most popular company but because they paid for that prominence. Even appearing on well-known sites like Angi is no guarantee. “People pay to be on those sites,” said Corporal Cruise. “It may say on the site that they're licensed and insured, but the sites aren't vetting them. People have a false sense of security when they find someone on those sites.”

“Do your research on the company. You can go to www.myfloridalicense.com, which is the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website. They regulate any state level licensure.” That level is for the kinds of things that, if they go wrong, can destroy your house: roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. “Pinellas County also has specialty licenses for smaller things like drywall, tiling, and irrigation, which you can check at www.pcclb.com.”

Always get references from other people who have used that contractor, and always get at least three estimates. It can be a lot of work to schedule several people to come out and evaluate the project, but having multiple options to consider is good for several reasons, not least of which is the cost. The same roofing project might cost $12,000 with one company, and $24,000 with another company, all for the same job with the same materials. But don't just go with the lowest price – make sure the contractor you choose is licensed, insured, and has a lot of happy customers.

There are a few things to look out for to avoid choosing an unlicensed contractor. Make sure the name on their business card matches the name on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation license they claim is theirs. Unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors may ask for an unusually large deposit, or even the entire amount upfront. Never pay the entire amount before the work is complete. Asking for payment to an individual rather than to the business is another red flag. Also beware of anyone calling themselves a “licensed handyman” – there is no such thing in the state of Florida.  When you finally do choose a contractor, make sure you get everything in writing, read and understand the contract thoroughly, and keep all documentation, correspondence, and receipts.

Unlicensed contracting is a misdemeanor, but can in some cases enhance to a felony. One catch is that it is a crime that has to happen in the deputy's presence in order for them to make a physical arrest. “You can't just tell me you had an unlicensed contractor work on your house, and then I go find him and arrest him. I have to see it happening.” Even so, he can still refer the case to the State Attorney's Office. There are some telltale signs of an unlicensed contractor in action. “State law requires you to have your contractor number on vehicles, invoices, and estimates.” Unlicensed contractors often drive unmarked vehicles, and then back them into the property or park in an way to obscure the fact that their truck doesn't have a license number on it.

Corporal Cruise has many horror stories of people who hired unlicensed contractors. “I've seen people give their life savings over to contractors. I've seen people about to retire, who can't now because they've lost their money to an unlicensed contractor.” One person paid a fortune for their pool and the contractor stopped all work after digging the hole. Other people have jobs left half done, and need to find another contractor to finish it. “And most won't touch it at that point because they don't trust the quality of the work that has already been done.” Customers may be tied up in both criminal and civil court cases before they get their money back – and they might never get it back at all. Make sure you take the time and effort to find a reputable contractor for your next household project. 

If you suspect you are the victim of an economic crime, you can call the PCSO non-emergency line at 582-6200.

For all its joys, giving birth is also full of emotional stress. No matter how good the mother's support system may be there are complicated emotions and physiological reactions that can lead to anxiety and postpartum depression. Now imagine, instead of welcoming your baby into a charming nursery surrounded by family, you're immediately separated from your newborn and taken back to jail to finish your sentence. LPN Ashley Pagan saw the serious psychological issues that women in the jail might face after giving birth, and was determined to do something about it. Thanks to her compassion and dedication, the Pinellas County Jail now has mandatory mental health care for inmates who have given birth or suffered the loss of a pregnancy. 

It all started from her interaction with one woman. Every week an outside nurse practitioner from Bayfront comes to the jail to see the high risk pregnancies, and Ashley assists in their care. “There was one girl in particular who came in at two months pregnant, so I followed her through her entire pregnancy up until she had her baby.” Pregnant inmates go to the hospital to give birth, with deputies present for security, and return to the jail just a few days later without their baby. They might have family members care for the child until they are released, or give the baby up for adoption. 

Once they give birth, Ashley usually doesn't see them anymore. But one day she was on the floor and the woman saw her and beckoned her over. “She suddenly breaks down crying. She said she never thought she could get postpartum depression. She didn't tell anyone because she was afraid she'd be put in a single cell. But she felt comfortable talking to me.” Inmates with serious psychological issues that may make them a danger to themselves or others might be put in a single cell for safety, and the inmate thought if she was crying uncontrollably that might happen to her.

Many women experience what is often called the “baby blues” after they give birth – days or weeks of mood swings, anxiety, crying, and trouble sleeping. When those symptoms last more than a couple of weeks, become severe, or include thoughts of self harm, it may be postpartum depression. In rare cases it might even manifest as postpartum psychosis, a condition that can include paranoia and hallucinations. Hormonal and physical changes, previous mental health, and social conditions can all contribute to postpartum depression. This woman was at least the third that Ashley had seen with symptoms of postpartum depression.

Ashley went to the jail's mental health nurse practitioner and asked if there was any mental health care specifically for women after they give birth. She found out that although the women have a mandatory physical evaluation after they give birth, there is no mandatory mental health evaluation. “They're in jail, they're separated from their baby... they need to be seen by someone. At that point is had been up to the nurse's discretion whether they were referred for a mental health evaluation, but that didn't sit right with me.” 

She talked to her supervisors, telling them about that woman and others she'd encountered. They thought it was a great idea, and as of January 1, 2024 it became official policy at the Pinellas County Jail that women who have given birth have a mandatory mental health evaluation shortly after they return to the jail. They're put on a priority list so they don't have to wait. If they're put on medication they have regular follow-ups. After that they can sign up for more psychological appointments on their own.

Every woman up to age 55 who is booked into the jail gets a pregnancy test. In fact, many women first discover that they're pregnant with the jail test. With high risk pregnancies – where the mother is on drugs, has certain health conditions, or is over age 35 – the mother is housed in the Healthcare building. The jail has a comprehensive healthcare system and can perform most care in-house, so the women can get ultrasounds and OBGYN exams. During booking they also have a mental health screening, so if they answer any questions in a way that indicates they may have depression or other mental health issues they can see someone then. Inmates can also request a psych visit on their own. But the mandatory postpartum mental health check helps even those who don't recognize their symptoms, or who try to hide them. 

“Now, a lot of the girls tell me they were very happy they got to talk to someone.” The woman who prompted Ashley to change the policy is doing well now. Her baby is with her sister and her mother, who send her updates and photos of her little one. “She's thanked me a million times. Even if I just helped this one person, it's worth it to have this policy in place.”