May 17, 2000

One of Utah's most vulnerable populations is getting ripped off, and it's been going on for years.

But today, city police and homeless advocates say this won't happen anymore. News Specialist Angela An explains.

The problem is this: Homeless men, who are picked up to work as day laborers, come back not getting paid. Their employers disappear and the homeless are left with empty pockets.

At 6:00 each morning, vans pick up homeless men for legitimate day labor work. Work such as construction and landscaping jobs. But some of these companies take advantage of this vulnerable group.

Jose/Homeless Day Laborer: "THE DAY I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET PAID, HE NEVER SHOWED UP."

Jose got stiffed $500 for working 11 days on a job. He's not the only one.

Advocates for the homeless say they hear several cases each week, of homeless men not getting paid and getting abused.

Waine Riches/Utah Legal Services: "SUCH AS, THEY APPROACH SOMEONE TO ASK FOR WAGES, THEY GET BEAT UP AND SOME OTHER THINGS."

Day Laborer: "I STAYED THERE 'TIL 5:00, WHEN I SEE HE NEVER SHOWED UP, I KNEW I WAS RIPPED OFF."

This morning, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson made it clear he would help prosecute anyone committing what he calls an appalling, criminal act.

Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City Mayor: "FOR THIS KIND OF THING TO HAPPEN TO THESE PEOPLE, WHO ARE TRYING SO HARD TO MAKE A GO OF IT IN LIFE, AND TO BE EXPLOITED IN THESE WAYS, I DON'T THINK ANYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY SHOULD TOLERATE IT."

Members of the ACLU and Utah Legal Services today handed out pamphlets that allow day laborers to track vital information about who they work for, and who to file a claim against if they don't receive proper wages.

Asst. Chief Bill Shelton/Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "IF THERE'S ASSISTANCE THAT THEY NEED OR THEY'RE BEING VICTIMIZED, THEY CAN CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT."

Mayor Anderson says this crime, theft of services, is a violation of both criminal and civil law. Some homeless people we spoke with say this is the worst thing you can do to people who are down on their luck.