The Elgin Police Department is alerting residents to be aware of aggressive solicitation practices that sometimes push local ordinance boundaries and coerce citizens into purchasing services.
“Aggressive solicitors are intimidating residents into purchasing products and services that they don’t want,” said Elgin Sgt. Joanne Demmin. “We’re working to educate our community about local solicitation ordinances so our residents aren’t victimized.”
In the city of Elgin, solicitors must:
• Obtain a city of Elgin permit prior to any door-to-door solicitation. Solicitors are then required to wear an identification badge at all times and be prepared to show their permit when asked.
• Solicit only between the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. No solicitation is allowed on Sunday.
• Leave a residence immediately if there is a “no solicitation/peddlers” sign or sticker on a resident’s door.
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• Never misrepresent the quality, price or amount of goods, merchandise or services offered for sale.
• Never conduct peddling or solicitation activities contrary to the provisions contained in the city-issued permit.
Residents are encouraged to:
• Never open the door to someone they don’t know.
• Prominently display a sign on their front door that says “no solicitation” if they don’t want any solicitors/peddlers on their property.
• Never allow anyone into their homes.
• Call police immediately with a description of a solicitor who does not follow the regulations outlined above or if they are made to feel uncomfortable while a solicitor is at their door.
“Some solicitors are pushing their way into people’s homes,” said Sgt. Demmin. “Most often, it’s senior citizens that fall victim to this tactic. If this happens, the police should be called immediately.”