'Who Does That?' Police Called On Black Kids Mowing Grass

MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH — A Maple Heights woman hired a team of young black children to cut her grass, but says her white neighbors called the cops when the children — ages 9-13 — accidentally mowed some of their grass too. Now, the community has raised thousands of dollars in support the kids.

Lucille Holt-Colden recorded the incident on Facebook live about a week ago. In the video, which has since been viewed more than 490,000 times, Holt-Colden said she hired Reggie Boyz Lawn Service, run by 12-year-old middle schooler Reggie Fields, to mow her grass. She said the summer job keeps them "off the street."

But as the kids were going about their duties, a police SUV rolled up.

"So I guess I have a line where part of it is not my yard," Holt-Coldensaid in the video. "They called the police to tell the police that the kids was cutting their grass. Who does that? Who does that?!"

She later added: "I don't know what part is my grass and what part is your grass."

Two boys — including a 9-year-old — and two girls are seen in the video sweeping and raking grass clippings. An incensed Holt-Colden, 51, said her neighbors ought to be grateful the kids aren't getting into trouble.

"I'm so glad you're out here doing something positive," she told the youngest boy. "You should not be getting the police called on you because you're out here cutting grass. Yes I'm going live because I'm so angry right now!"

A police officer then walks into the frame and asks Holt-Colden to go inside or around the corner so she and her neighbor don't have to look at each other while he talks to her.

"Because I don't want it to turn into anything," the officer said. "I'm trying to make it easier on everybody."

Reggie told WEWS-TV he didn't know he was mowing the neighbor's lawn too.

“They said I was cutting her grass,” he said. “I didn’t know it!”

Police did not cite the kids or stop them.

“A little kid is out there working hard, heck no,” said Lt. Joe Mocsiran of the Maple Heights Police Department, told Fox News.

Holt-Colden told WEWS-TV that people across the city have been asking to let Reggie's team mow for them. The community also launched a fundraiser to support his mowing service. The GoFundMe campaign has raised a whopping $28,000 over two days.

Photo credit: GoFundMe