Curbside address painter says service is not a scam

Scam or service? Patrick Harris says he's just a businessman, not a crook or con artist trying to make a buck.

He says he started painting house numbers on curbs for neighbors, charging $10 to $15 for the job. Business was booming, until the city put out a notice telling people to be wary of Harris' curbside service and others like it.

"Maybe somebody is out there cheating somebody, but I'm not cheating nobody," Harris said.

Cedar Rapids police and fire departments put out the alert after residents called confused over whether or not the city is requiring house numbers be painted on the curb outside their homes.

Harris admits the wording on one of his fliers, a bright pink door tag that reads "NOTICE: Tomorrow, new reflective house numbers are to be applied in front of the homes on your street" may leave some people scratching their heads.

"The pink fliers were maybe making people offended like it's a notice from the city or something, but when I was using the green or neon fliers there was still an issue," Harris said.

Cedar Rapids police say nothing Harris is doing is illegal, but worry the door tags may mislead certain people. They call the fliers "good marketing."

"The pink ones are pushing it," said Cedar Rapids P0lice Sgt. Cristy Hamblin. "It's not illegal what they're doing, but it is skirting the issue that it's not mandatory by the city."

Cedar Rapids police and fire officials say it's actually a better idea to have a well-lit address on your home, because of all the snow Iowa gets during the winter months.

Harris says he'll continue with his business despite the caution put out by the city. "It's top quality paint," he said. "They get exactly what's promised to them on the flier. There's no hidden agenda."