6.4 SR 05-13-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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It's Solicitor Season! Are you Ready? (With some exceptions), solicitors must be licensed in Elk River It's the time of season where many solicitors start to knock on doors looking for your business. The city has found that,in some cases,unscrupulous individuals have posed as legitimate solicitors for the purpose of harassment,nuisance, theft, or other unlawful acts committed against residents. In order to combat these issues and to protect the community and legitimate solicitors,the city imposes reasonable restrictions on solicitation activities. City ordinance requires peddlers, solicitors, and transient merchants to be licensed prior to engaging in solicitation activities. This registration,though, does not mean that those with licenses have undergone background checks or that they are endorsed by the city. It is in your best interest to use common sense and sound judgment when dealing with solicitors.While most solicitors are required to be licensed with the city,there are exceptions. Examples include: social,political, religious, and non-profit organizations. The hours for solicitation are limited to Monday through Saturday,Noon to 6:00 p.m. and no solicitation is allowed on Sundays. Those engaged in solicitation activities during the prohibited hours are in violation of the ordinance. In addition to being required to carry their license and their ID while going door-to-door, solicitors are required to display these documents upon request. Failure to do so could result in criminal charges. The ordinance also identifies behaviors and actions which are considered nuisances affecting the right of privacy. The complete list of nuisance behaviors and the complete ordinance can be found on the City's website (www.elkrivermn.gov). Tips for Residents: • If you choose not to have solicitors come to your door,you can post a sign that states "Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited" at the main entrance of your residence. Solicitation at a residence displaying this sign is in violation of the ordinance and may result in criminal charges. • Ask to see the solicitor's license. If the solicitor fails to provide the requested paperwork,do not do business with this person and contact law enforcement. • If you call the police,provide a detailed physical description and direction of travel. Provide any identifying information about the solicitor; such as the solicitor's name,business name,and license number.A license plate and/or make and model of the vehicle are also helpful. • Whether or not you do business with the solicitor, document the solicitor's name,business name, and license number. This information might be useful in the future. • Call the police if you observe someone looking in windows or walking in back yards. Solicitors may only conduct business at the main entrance to the residence.Walking around the exterior of the house,going into the back yard or to side doors,and looking into windows are behaviors which fall under nuisance behavior. • You do not have to answer the door just because someone rings the door bell. If the person fails to leave,looks in your windows, or goes to a door other than the main entrance, call the police. • Do your homework on the company before you do business with them. It is your responsibility to make the determination on whether they are a legitimate company and you are comfortable working with them. Never sign anything on a first visit and make sure to completely read all contracts and documents. N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\05-13-2013\Final\6.4at2.doc