I-Team: Unlicensed barber shops

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - First a drug raid, then a deadly shooting inside two separate unlicensed barber shops.
So how wide spread is this problem of barber shops operating without a license?

It is unclear just how wide spread this problem is, but we did find at least one barber shop operating without a license.

It's becoming a growing problem in Springfield, crime connected to unlicensed barber shops.

Last Friday police shut down All Stars Barber after a deadly shooting. Now officials are starting to crack down on businesses operating without the proper paper work.

Timothy Knight, owner of Straightway Cuts, has been opened for more than six months. He doesn't have a license. Timothy Knight said, "You caught me walking out of the door with the paperwork and I am going to download a few more forms and then I am all set."

All Stars Barber Shop's closing is what got Knight motivated to get licensed. Knight said,
“By this thing happening at this other barbershop my procrastination turned into determination."

The owner of Ponce Barber Shop showed us his license, but according to the city clerk's office they don't have a business certificate.

The division of professional licensure in Boston is responsible for monitoring barber shops across the state, but Springfield's Health commissioner told 22News there should be more authority on the local level.

Helen Caulton Harris, Springfield’s Health Commissioner, "Currently there is a gap between follow up and inspection. I don't have a list from the state for the licensed barber shops and again enforcement is sketchy because we don't have the authority to go into those local establishments."

The Division of Professional Licensure Director George Weber said, “We take advantage of every opportunity to take action against unlicensed barber shop operators, and continue to work closely with local officials to address this issue. We look forward to next Friday’s meeting, and believe a collaborative effort is the best way to move forward.”