A black child had the police called on him last week while he was simply mowing a yard as part of his summer business.
According to ABC affiliate News 5 Cleveland, 12-year-old Reginald Fields owns and operates Mr. Reggie’s Lawn Cutting Service in Maple Heights, Ohio. The child, along with his cousins and siblings, were working on customer Lucille Holt’s property this month when a police officer pulled up to the home after a neighbor issued a complaint.
Holt told News 5 that the authorities were called because Reggie inadvertently cut some of her neighbor’s grass, about a foot from where the two properties connect.
“They said I was cutting their grass,” Reggie told the outlet. “I didn't know it!"
The child told News 5 that he did not speak directly to the responding officer, but felt discouraged after he completed his job.
"I was like, that's a shame,” he said.
Holt broadcasted the incident on Facebook Live, claiming her neighbors have an unnecessary habit of calling the police on children in the neighborhood.
“Who calls the police for everything?” Holt asks in the video. “They should be glad these kids not out here breaking their car windows out […] You called the police because the kids is out here cutting the grass?”
The video has since gone viral, resulting in a wave of support for Reggie and his business. Holt told News 5 that many people have sent her messages asking how they can get in contact with the children so they can work on their yards.
“Just give me a call,” Reggie said. “I will be there. On time!”
The neighbors who reported the children declined to speak on camera.
A similar incident occurred in San Francisco earlier this month, when a woman named Alison Ettel was filmed allegedly calling the police on a young girl selling water. Shortly after the footage went viral, Ettel lost her job and has reportedly received death threats.
