Solicitor Without Permit Issued Second Chester Court Summons

CHESTER, NJ — An individual will appear in Chester Township Court after he was issued a mandatory summons for soliciting without a permit, for the second summer in a row, by an officer on Tuesday afternoon.

At around 12:30 p.m., an officer on patrol recognized the driver of a car parked on Colby Farm Road from an encounter last summer that stemmed from a resident's complaint of unwanted solicitors, a statement from the Chester Police Department said.

The officer spoke with the driver and confirmed that he was the same individual who was issued a summons last summer, police said.

The individual was again soliciting without a permit on Colby Farm Road and other Chester streets, though he claimed to work for New Jersey Asphalt Construction Company and stated he was living in the area for the summer.

Police were unable to find "New Jersey Asphalt Construction" in the state's Business Name Online Portal, according to the news release. The driver produced a Kansas driver's license and the vehicle he was operating is registered in Texas.

The individual was issued another summons for soliciting without a permit, as well as several motor vehicle summons with a mandatory Chester Township Court date, police said, and was again explained the local ordinance pertaining to soliciting, which states that door-to-door solicitation is only legal with a permit (religious solicitors are exempt from this law).

"These types of seasonal workers are commonly referred to as 'Gypsy Pavers' and are transients who travel around the country," police said in the statement. "There have been previous scams by these companies in Chester over the past several years."

For example, police said, "Gypsy Pavers" have asked for a deposit and never showed up, used lower quality asphalt despite charging prices for higher quality products, and abandoning a project after asking for full payment up front.

"Should you encounter anyone from this company or any other company or individual attempting to make sales, ask to see their permit," police said. "Please contact this agency immediately, at (908) 879-5514, should you feel the situation is illegitimate or suspicious in any way."

Individuals who would like to be placed on the "do not solicit" list for permitted solicitors can email Kathy Potter at kpotter@chestertownship.org.