Police Remind Residents About Solicitors

Creve Coeur Police last month arrested a door-to-door soliticitor on the 100 block of Ladue Pines Drive, and released the person with a summons.

The department is putting out the word to residents to remind them about their rights when it comes to dealing with soliticitors. The following was included in a "crime prevention" email blast released last month:

Solicitors without permits are considered suspicious people. The Creve Coeur Police Department requests that all suspicious people be reported by either calling 9-1-1 or dispatch at 314-737-4600. 

Some questions you may be asked when you call the police: 
o Location of Solicitor 
o Your name and address 
o If the suspicious person is leaving- 
? Where are they going? 
? How are they traveling? 
? Vehicle description? 
o Description of Person 
? Describe the person from top to bottom 
? Note the race, sex, age, height, weight and hair color 
? Behavior 

Above all, if a solicitor makes you feel uncomfortable, or if you ask a solicitor to leave and they become offensive or do not leave, call the police. The Creve Coeur Police Department will have “No Solicitor” stickers available, free to Creve Coeur residents, starting April 15, 2013. If a resident posts this sticker in plain view of the most obvious guest entrance to the home, the solicitor shall leave without knocking or disturbing the person living therein. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Creve Coeur Police Department’s Crime Prevention Office at 314-442-2075

A similar email which went out in May 2012 spelled out the rules under city ordinances relating to solicitors:

1. You may only solicit from 9 a.m. until sunset or 7:30 p.m., whichever is earlier. 
2. You must wear your solicitor’s license on your outer clothing when soliciting. 
3. If a residence has posted or marked “No Solicitors” or “No Peddlers” the solicitor shall leave without knocking or disturbing the person living therein. 
4. Solicitors shall attempt contact at the front door or the most obviously used guest entrance only. No solicitor shall go from door to door at a residence attempting to contact or in an attempt to avoid a “No solicitation” notice. No person shall remove any “No Solicitor” notice from any property or residence. 

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