Sellers May Have Tougher Time Going Door-to-Door

Let the seller beware. would like to change the way solicitors can do business in the township.

Under the current township ordinance, door-to-door solicitation companies must have licenses, with each individual salesperson possessing his or her own permit. Companies gain these permits by having employees submit to a background check.

However, what is currently happening, according to council president Rick Yocum, is that companies are purchasing permits and then giving them to different employees for them to go door-to-door, and these employees are not background checked.

“We need to be sure that each individual is background checked to protect the safety of our residents,” Yocum said.

Jefferson Township deputy clerk Maria Pivirotto admitted that the township’s current system is outdated.

“Sales company employees must be background checked. The check is given to the police and if the employee is deemed safe, they are issued a permit with an identification card,” she said. The township charges $100 for a permit.

“We ask solicitors to bring in two photos taken within the last 30 days, and they are put onto a card, but the photos on the cards are fairly easy to change. What we’re looking into is having the police issue the identification cards, and making the cards alteration-proof.”

Pivirotto also said that solicitation companies are also supposed to let the police know when they will be in a particular neighborhood, and what streets they plan to cover, but, she said, that doesn’t always happen.

According to Captain Eric Wilsusen, the department relies on residents to call in if they have a problem with a solicitor.

“What will normally happen the first time is that we will document the situation and issue a warning to stop soliciting,” Wilsusen said. “If the person doesn’t stop, then a summons is issued, but the solicitor is not arrested.”

The situation with solicitors is not the same as it would be if a group knocks on doors to prevent their views on a subject, like religion or environmental causes.

“We can’t control free speech,” said township attorney Larry Cohen. “If a group of that nature wants to come to the door, they can. The homeowner can ask them to leave.”

Homeowners can also ask solicitors to leave, and can also post signs on their private property prohibiting solicitors.

“Sometimes solicitors choose to ignore signs,” Wilsusen said. “At that point, the homeowner can file a complaint, which would probably fall under trespassing.”