Suspicious Solicitations
On 07-20-2021 at approximately 9:28 a.m., officers of the City of Carbondale Police Department responded to the 1700 block of Colonial Drive in reference to a report of a suspicious solicitation. Officers learned on 07-19-2021 at about 6:00 p.m. a white male, in his 20’s, with dark hair arrived at the resident’s front porch. The suspicious male advised he was a representative of a company that could help the resident lower Mediacom service bills. The suspicious male also asked to enter the victim’s home to inspect the Mediacom service equipment. During the course of the investigation, officers learned there were no active solicitation permits issued by the Carbondale City Clerk’s Office matching the suspicious male or the company he claimed to represent.
The police department encourages residents to be aware of the Carbondale Revised Code statute concerning solicitations. Some criminals will pose as solicitors for the opportunity to gain access to your residence or collect your personal information which can be used for scams. Anyone who is approached by a door to door solicitor, whom they believe to be suspicious, should immediately contact the police department and ask for an officer to investigate. Below is the statute concerning solicitations in Carbondale.
5-5-17: REGULATIONS SPECIFIC TO SOLICITORS
(COMMERCIAL AND NONCOMMERCIAL):
A. Soliciting: No person shall solicit on any premises if the premises is posted against solicitation by means of a notice prominently displayed, on which is printed the following legend, or words of similar meaning: NO SOLICITORS, NO PEDDLERS, or NO TRESPASSING. It shall be the duty of each solicitor to first examine any premises for the above-referenced notice and, if present, to immediately and peaceably depart. Any peddler/solicitor who has gained entrance to or who is on any premises, whether invited or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises when requested to do so by the occupant.
B. Hours: Soliciting shall not occur except between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday and between 12:00 noon and 6:00 P.M. on Sundays, and State or national holidays.
C. False, Deceptive Or Misleading Statements: A solicitor shall not misrepresent or make false,
deceptive, or misleading statements concerning the quality, quantity, or character of any
merchandise offered for sale, his/her identity, or the identity of the organization which he or she
represents.
D. Complaints: If a verbal or written complaint is filed alleging that a solicitor has violated any
provision of this chapter, the City Clerk shall promptly send a copy of the written complaint to the solicitor, together with a notice that an investigation will be made as to the truth of the complaint. The solicitor shall be invited to present exculpatory evidence to the City Clerk's Office. If the City Clerk, after reviewing all relevant material, finds the complaint to be supported by a preponderance of the evidence, the complaint shall be certified.
E. Non-Commercial Solicitation Are Exempt From Licensing Requirements: Licensing requirements for door-to-door solicitation shall not apply to government employees when on official business, persons soliciting on behalf of a bona fide not-for-profit organization, persons soliciting on behalf of a candidate for political office or on behalf of a political party, and a person of the age sixteen (16) and under, who is participating in fundraising programs for, or sponsored by, a public or private elementary or high school or bona fide children's organization including, without limitation, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or youth sports. (Ord. 2017-55)