August 22, 2008
by Ann Marie Fallon
Our neighbors in Bedford have seen a decided uptick in door to door solicitors. Here in New Castle, Verizon has registered one representative with police and obtained a permit so that that representative may sell door-to-door, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. only.
According to Lt. Charles Ferry of the New Castle Police Department, the number of solicitors usually rises in late August and September. New Castle usually sees a spike at this time of year by youths claiming to be college or high school students selling magazine subscriptions, telling the home owner that they are earning money for college tuition. In years past, Ferry recalled, several solicitors have sometimes been dropped off at various locations around town by a vehicle which then collects them at the end of the day.
In New Castle it is a violation of Town Code Chapter 53 for canvassers and solicitors to go from door to door without registering with the chief of police. Once they have been approved, solicitors receive a registration certificate bearing a photograph that they must carry with them when conducting business within New Castle. In the the downtown hamlets, permits to sell door-to-door are not required.
Organizations, societies or associations of a charitable, religious, patriotic, philanthropic or community nature that wish to solicit or canvass for donations only need to register the group with the chief of police—and they are premitted to canvass from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The individuals going door-to-door need only carry identification showing that they are a member or representative of the group.
Detective Sgt. James Wilson advises residents to contact the New Castle Police immediately if they observe any suspicious vehicle or person, but not to approach the vehicle or person themselves. If possible, Wilson asks, “try and write down a license plate, if visible, and pass that information on to the police as well.”
Any person convicted of violating this town code can be subject to a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both, at the discretion of the justice court.
Copyright 2009 NewCastleNOW.org