Caught on my security cameras

I just got done reviewing my security cameras as i do everyday and i caught some illegal activity. I already know part of what i am going to do but just wanted to hear what you would do. I live right by a highschool and there are kids who roam the neighborhood . Today there was a tree trimming crew working in my alley cutting tree branches away from powerlines. Its a service from the electric company to prevent outages. The tree company is just a contractor for the electric co. I have on camera 3 high school kids walking up to the crew and then lighting up what appears to be a marijuana joint and passing it around and two of the tree crew guys taking part in smoking it for about 5 minutes. Another tree guy sat in a truck just watching. One of the guys smoking was the driver of the biggest lift truck and he also operated the man lift around the power lines while using the saw. Now this is very alarming to me because this guy is driving a huge truck and working around powerlines with a saw all the while high on dope. What would you say to the tree company?
Thanks for your time.

 

Something tells me this isn't a winning situation Jeremy. You'll call and tell them, they'll say they'll look into it and that'll be the end of it. I certainly understand your concerns, but thats just how I could see it playing out.

 

Tough situation, but on one hand, operating serious machinery while under the influence could be a fatal mistake for either a worker or a passerby. I'd say send it in anonymously, let the company do what they deem appropriate for the situation.

I would hate to see someone get hurt, or worse due to my inaction. Even if it meant I was a "snitch". Safety for others trumps "snitch" status IMO.

 

I suggest do the right thing, don't let the illegal actions of a "dope mope" slight your integrity, step up and report the knuckle head blowing weed to the power company and contractor. You surely can do this in a confidential way.

It's only a matter of time, he is going to get someone seriously injured or possibly killed. If he denies it, his company can request he comply with a urinalysis or he can find another job where he can stay as high as he wants, maybe a "greens keeper" pun intended.

He is a liability and a law suit waiting to happen. I would fire him and give him the boot if he was working for my company. My 2 cents worth.

 

Send copy to local news station

 

Perfect!! And say would you want to hire this crew?

 

If they weren't on your property, why do anything? I don't get why you feel the need to take action if none of this effected you. "Might have happened" could be argued all day long, but assuming you are not associated with the school or the contracted company in any way; it's not your job to get involved.

Maybe it's because I live in CO, or maybe it's because I try to minimize stress for things that don't effect me - but this seems like a fool's errand.

 

I believe we still live in a country of law and order that applies to all citizens. To look the other way is no law and no order. FWIW...

 

Did you record this from your security camera? If so, and you send a copy, wouldn't the angle seen on the video/picture identify your house as to where it came from? If so, then it won't be anonymous. So think thru that if you do intend to report. Would I? Probably not. If the worker gets injured while on job, he won't be able to claim work comp because they'll drug test. The hope here is that he didn't drive high; but if he did, hope he doesn't injure someone and any accident he causes he'll be booked for being under the influence and bye-by DL and job.

 

I agree on the first part, but the second is bullshit. It's not up to the average citizen to enforce the law. If you're a cop, cool - enforce. If you're not, let it be. Again, on your property? Go nuts. Your kids, or your contracting company? Go nuts. Otherwise, why do anything? Smoking some weed and operating machinery is bad - but to equate it to "evil" is a bit of a stretch.

Ultimately you'll do whatever you want. That's one of the freedoms we all have. But do you plan to review this footage weekly/monthly/etc and report anything and everything that looks out of place on it?

 

Weed isn't evil, but you shouldn't be operating heavy machinery after smoking that crap! Some cough medicine shouldn't be taken while operating.

Mistakes can happen much easier while "under the influence". If you have knowledge of a possibly hazardous situation, the next time (and there WILL be one) someone may get hurt or worse.

im willing to bet none of the companies that work in situations like this (even in Colorado) will or do allow smoking weed while on the job. For liability reasons.....

 

Me personally, i'd ignore it. But then again, i'm a dope smoking everyday hippie.....one of the few benefits of being in california......can't put more then 10 rounds in my gun, but I can get higher then a kite..

 

Maybe just call the company and tell them what you saw. They'll probably give some kind of warning or announcement to their workers. That'll probably be enough to scare them from doing it again. I personally wouldn't send in the video if the angle shows it's from my house. If they get fired, there a chance they'll retaliate. Not worth putting my family at risk.

 

Does the video show for sure it was weed? Cause they could say it was only a cigarette or cigar.
I've seen lots of high school kids passing around a cigarette.

 

Post the video here.

 

and the real question is......is it worth them losing their jobs (that they support their family with) and the kids getting expelled from school.....all over a joint? (this coming from someone who was expelled from high school and has lost a job for similar reasons.....no regrets)

 

I think part of what I said came out misconstrued. I completely agree that you shouldn't operate heavy machinery while under the influence of any drug. I just think it's out of place to go report this specific instance.

 

That's why, without the video, they probably won't get fired.

 

Honestly, you concentrate harder when you're high.

 

Talking from experience or just something you heard

 

My wake and bake buddy in college smoked all day everyday. Drives around really slow and carefully. No problems for 3 years. Had to quit smoking for a drug test for a job, gets 3 moving violations in his first 2 weeks sober.

 

Fair enough.

 

Colorado does not allow it, period, for work or even for recreation (work wise). Labor laws are federal, and weed is illegal at the federal level. Doesn't mean you can't, juts don't get drug tested at work or then can dismiss you.

 

If you turn them in and they can identify your house, the news reports could start with "The cause of the fire is currently under investigation...". A group of stoners that will light up with a bunch of high school kids (kinda makes you wonder if they have a side business going) isn't a group that's just going to "chill" after an accusation like that. I'd call the police and proceed from there. They can start watching the crew and get them on multiple charges with hard evidence. Your video could be easily classified as hearsay evidence since the crew could easily claim those were cigarettes. Reasonable doubt is all it takes in court, and there's no guarantee that their boss isn't one of the "crew".

 

makes you wonder if they have a side business going?

 

If you were on the road with your family and someone was driving while DUI, swerving, almost crashing, would you pick up the phone and report it or just ignore it?

 

Yes, it makes me wonder if they have a side business selling drugs to kids.

 

yea, i'm thinking that's a pretty wide stretch. you think they post up at the high school daily trimming trees?


Weed is easier for kids to get the alcohol and cigarettes.......most would be too sketched out to buy it from tree trimmers when they can get it from the head cheerleader.