Stolen Trailer Endangers Employment for People with Disabilities

pictures of enclosed grey trailer with a side door and back gate that folds down into a ramp

Image of enclosed trailer similar to the one stolen from Chase Inc. in Arcata [Photo from Shannon Chase’s GoFundMe page]

A document shredding business that employs individuals with disabilities is asking for the community’s help after their enclosed trailer was stolen.

Chase Inc. has a day program offering work opportunities in various fields for people with disabilities. The company has paid over $2 million dollars in wages to their employees since 2006.

Fifteen employees of Chase Inc. will be financially impacted if the company is not able to raise the funds to replace the trailer used for the company’s paper shredding business. The business shreds over twenty thousand pounds of sensitive documents monthly. The stolen trailer was essential in transporting the sensitive documents from 30 community sites that the business works with.

Chase Inc. owners, James and Shannon Chase are asking for the community’s help through a GoFundMe fundraiser. On the GoFundMe site, Shannon wrote, “Our program is one of the only ones on the north coast that has ALWAYS paid the individuals minimum wage or better for working. We don’t believe in sub minimum wage just because they have a disability. So they will be losing out on a substantial paycheck.”

The enclosed trailer was stolen over the weekend from the business location’s parking lot in Arcata and reported to the Arcata Police Department. This is the third enclosed trailer stolen from the business since its inception.

 

 

 

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45 Comments
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Zipline
Guest
Zipline
1 year ago

Isn’t this exactly what business insurance is for? Maybe a more secure location?

Leia
Guest
Leia
1 year ago
Reply to  Zipline

okay you buy us a building and we can be in a more “secure” location.

GUEST
Guest
GUEST
1 year ago
Reply to  Zipline

Exactly & didn’t they learn they learn the last time the trailer was stolen to secure it & its contents. Sure hope nothing in the way of personal informational was stolen!

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
1 year ago

IMHO 1: Probably full of dope and halfway across the USA.
IMHO 2: You’ve lost 3 ? At least invest in a decent coupler lock… or an alarm system.

Prometheus
Guest
Prometheus
1 year ago

Two trailers stolen and the third one wasn’t secured either. Chase Inc. isn’t very smart.


Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa Music

Lisa, there is no shame in being truthful. In the 36 years I have owned my Marine Engine Repair Business, I have never heard of anyone having their boat and trailer stolen 3 times, and we work on 600 to 700 boats a year. Once yes, not 3 different times. I would suggest these people look into alternative locking devices besides taking the wheels off…

431-twl100_2.jpg
Madder Rose
Guest
Madder Rose
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Ironic, aren’t you the dude fighting for clean water and conservation, yet your business is helping folks pollute it?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
1 year ago
Reply to  Madder Rose

No man, Dave’s not home! I am the “dude” who is “fighting” to keep water in the South Fork Eel River and out of the hands of haphazard developers, instream gravel operations and weed cultivation irrigation! Here’s a fun fact, did you know; that recreational boats only use 0.065% of all gas sold in California and that the biggest pollution to waterways and rivers comes from winter road runoff!

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/spark-ignition-marine-engine-and-watercraft-simesimw-regulatory-and-certification-documents

Two Dogs
Guest
Two Dogs
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Down our way, we used to have the gravel miners put in nice little ditches that ran to cooling holes for the fish. They would move on at night.

Viryn
Guest
Viryn
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

for a minute there I thought boating caused water pollution, deflection is a wonderful tool.

Last edited 1 year ago
Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
1 year ago
Reply to  Viryn

How’s this for deflection, find me something I can read that proves your point, that boating causes water pollution?

Non-fiction
Guest
Non-fiction
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Ed, I’m pretty sure the whining is most likely about wet exhaust outboards, particularly the 4 strokes…though, I doubt the whiners would know the difference.

For the uninitiated, most boats do not have wet exhausts, where the exhaust is released into the water.
And most wet exhaust does not condense and bond into solution with the water…it bubbles out to the air, just like all non-EVs on the road.

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Viryn

What do we do with our lakes and reservoirs? We allow thousands and thousands of motorized boats, jet skis, houseboats, ect to spew massive amounts of cancer causing petroleum products into our drinking water.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa Music

No, I have never had an “enclosed yard for my buisness”, only an auto-remote driveway gate and some signs:

32c8728d-1721-40e6-91c2-f9896ddaf6fb_1.5cf7433653e751d9d0ae53761fa36123.jpeg
Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa Music

The third time is stupid…

GUEST
Guest
GUEST
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa Music

Apparently this is not the first time this has happened so why not do better to protect the documents & the vessel for transportation of said sensitive documents

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa Music

So… where is the footage from the security cameras ?

Country Joe
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa Music

Victim shaming is not cool but good advice after a third theft is.

Non-fiction
Guest
Non-fiction
1 year ago
Reply to  Country Joe

Calling the victims “stupid” is NOT advice, good or bad, it’s shaming.

You don’t seem to play well with others.

GUEST
Guest
GUEST
1 year ago
Reply to  Lisa Music

Once stolen “the first time” wouldn’t you change how you do things?

Thanks for proving our point!D
Member

Wow! Love the implication that somehow they’re better employers for FOLLOWING THE WAGE LAWS.. Call your insurance, whiny entitled jerks! You planning on cashing that insurance check and your gofundme?

Also, note to those that utilize their services… did you know they’re transporting your sensitive documents in a trailer? Sounds like there’s multiple opps for sensitive materials to end up in the wrong hands.

ABA
Guest
ABA
1 year ago

Actually, the wage laws don’t necessarily require minimum wage when you’re hiring disabled people (usually through some kind of program). In fact some businesses hire disabled people specifically because they can pay them less, and often get a tax write-off on top! This business probably isn’t actually required to pay minimum wage, but does anyway…because it’s the right thing to do. Maybe next time figure out what you’re talking about before whining like an entitled jerk.

Ron Melancon
Guest
1 year ago

Either get this or do nothing and have more of your trailers stolen WhereSafe MagTracker link: https://www.wheresafe.com/products/magnetic-gps-tracker?ghref=2363%3A125590&utm_source=affiliates&utm_medium=Ron+Melancon

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
1 year ago

Stealing is shitty. Stealing the things others need to earn their living is extra shitty.

If I paid for shredding, I would strongly prefer it to happen immediately at pickup, not after being hauled off-site.

Zipline
Guest
Zipline
1 year ago
Reply to  I like stars

I’ve always used Shredd Tec in Eureka. Never had a problem.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  I like stars

Exactly.

Buzz
Guest
Buzz
1 year ago

I’m genuinely sympathetic and sorry for the business and it’s employees.
There’s no shame in being a crime victim!

There’s also absolutely no shame in running a successful, ethical business for the sake of profit, so why is this article written like a press-release for a 501c3, Lisa Music?

Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Buzz

What do you feel should be in an article about a crime victim trying to raise money? What did Lisa not cover that is essential for the point of this story?

Permanently on Monitoring
Member
Permanently on Monitoring
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Is this a 501c3?

You have to admit, it’s an odd crime, and an unusual business, and while partially employing a needy group, is it being properly done or is it just another Non-Profit being poorly operated in Humboldt?

A good look at the cost/benefit ratio here, and an inspection of the total public investment vs the actual benefit to the Chases and the employees may also be of interest…

These days, opportunity for everyone, is everywhere, and jobs are begging for labor. Disabled people are now more likely to be chosen to cover a shift, if they apply.

We certainly hope that the trailer shows up, and whatever they are doing there, will continue, but like many reported crimes covered here, this one makes me wonder…

Last edited 1 year ago
Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago

It’s a non profit. It’s full name is Cutting to the Chase. Its tax id (EIN) is 46-3080459. It was granted tax-exempt status by IRS in September, 2016 https://www.orgcouncil.com/ein/463080459

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kym, they are not registered with the State of California as a 501c3, they are pending suspension with the Secretary of State and have not filed a 990 tax return since 2018.

GUEST
Guest
GUEST
1 year ago

If any document were stolen how can they appropriately inform the “real” victims the ones who’s sensitive documents may or may not have been compromised?

Buzz
Guest
Buzz
1 year ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thanks for clarifying that, Kym.

Unless I missed something, It wasn’t made clear in the article that Chase Inc. is a tax-exempt entity.

The tone of the article and characterization of the organization present it as a pseudo-benevolent community organization vs. a strictly for-profit business.

That’s my impression anyways, I don’t imply any negativity towards Lisa.
I genuinely think it’s an important distinction here because they are seeking donations and emphasizing their empowerment of disabled individuals – wouldn’t you find it a bit strange if this article was about an otherwise successful LLC that had some bad luck?

StoptheplanetIwantoffD
Member

I hope none of the stolen trailers had sensitive documents that were waiting to be shredded.

GUEST
Guest
GUEST
1 year ago

Exactly! Who can trust them when they keep getting their trailer stolen? Aka not the first time this has happened!

Things that make you go hmmm...
Guest
Things that make you go hmmm...
1 year ago

So there was an article regarding something similar to this once before. Where the business was a victim of theft, of a vehicle I believe, and had also set up a GoFundMe. They were chastised for setting up the GoFundMe and also getting reimbursed by the insurance company. I don’t see much difference between the two so what’s up with these people? Why should they be able to do both and get away with it, because they employ the disabled? A business is a business and all must carry insurance.

burblestein
Guest
burblestein
1 year ago

Ripping off the handicapped. How low can you go?

redsunflower29@gmail.com
Member
1 year ago

This is not the first time this happened to this said business. One begs the question “what’s really going on?” I’m 100% on helping “people with differing abilities”! When it comes to the security of what is actually happening I have a huge problem. Some take for granted that the individuals they are “helping ” can’t or do not understand. Then capitalize on that. Then there are the one’s who actually care the one’s who do the shopping the ones who help with ADL “assistance with daily living” help them daily. I honestly feel that some of these “so called day programs ” need to get their sh** together. Everyone no matter of mental compatibility deserves the same respect. Furthermore to capitalize on others is disgusting! At the very least you should be able to provide a secure situation for the people to one not only work for you but also support you! Time n time again I’ve read about how this company has compromised not only its employees “people with differing abilities” & also support staff, and its supporters. It’s time for them to stop capitalizing on the backs of individuals with differing abilities. And stop expecting the community to come together and replace what has been stolen when this is not the first time they have been stolen from & they have the means to secure said stolen item.

Leia
Guest
Leia
1 year ago

To clarify for everyone that is questioning the article and the business that my aunt and uncle own and operate and have for the past 16 years, The trailer itself was completely empty when it was stolen, therefore there was no confidential material in it. Also, when confidential material is transported in the trailer it is hooked to a truck and it is completely locked and it’s transported directly from the site where it’s picked up to the site where it’s shred. Also we rent at that location and we are not allowed to put up a fenced locked area to place our trailers inside. The trailer was locked with a very good lock the thieves picked up the tongue of the trailer wheeled it off because it was empty out of the sight of our camera system and somehow hooked it to their vehicle. Also this isn’t the third trailer that has been stolen from the location the first theft that occurred was all of our lawn crew equipment out of a locked storage container that is on our site. The second theft that occurred was from a former employee that had parked his deceased grandfather’s classic car on a trailer in our parking lot and it was stolen. The only part that the business played in that was the co-owner typed and published his go fund me for him. We had nothing to do with his insurance or any of the money or situation that occurred there after we were simply the site where his car was parked and stolen from. Also, as obviously some of you are unaware, in California businesses can attain a SUB MINIMUM WAGE certificate allowing them to pay individuals Pennies. Also as obviously many of you are unaware, MANY of the businesses in Humboldt County like ours have a sub minimum wage certificate. Also, we don’t have insurance on the trailer. So we aren’t attempting to “double dip”. The point of all this is simply this… if you want to donate, then great, we are extremely appreciative…if you don’t want to donate, then that is fine too

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
1 year ago
Reply to  Leia

Thank you for the clarification, I hope you can understand the confusion, as stated in the article:

“This is the third enclosed trailer stolen from the business since its inception.”

Can I ask, why Cutting to the Chase, Inc. is not current or pending suspension by the state as a 501c3 tax exempt organization?

Leia
Guest
Leia
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Cutting to the Chase and CHASE Inc are two separate entities. Cutting to the Chase hasn’t been in business since 2018, therefore the tax exempt status was no longer needed. It was never stated by any of us that we were a non profit. That conclusion was made by the author of the article.

Kym Kemp
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Leia

My apologies. I thought you were the same as Cutting to the Chase.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
1 year ago
Reply to  Leia

Thank you again. Since Cutting to the Chase is still on the books as being a nonprofit public benefit corporation and 501c3, so the public does not confuse the two businesses again, maybe look onto this?

A California nonprofit corporation that decides to stop operating and windup operations must take certain steps. In California, the procedures to voluntarily wind up operations are called “dissolution” of the nonprofit corporation. Dissolution can be accomplished by either filing an action with the superior court or by complying with voluntary dissolution procedures.

https://oag.ca.gov/charities/dissolution

Last edited 1 year ago