These friendly, smiling young men and women have the kind of brazen confidence that comes with the experience they get ringing doorbells and convincing strangers into buying magazine subscriptions or other products they didn’t know they wanted.

Solicitors know they need to have a permit and many have already been issued citations or been arrested as cities all over the country crack down on traveling sales crews.  Some solicitors use their position as door-to-door salespersons in order to commit crimes.

Some of the criminal activities that have been associated with illegal solicitors include:

• Fraud (victims never receive their order of goods)
• Contractor Fraud (providing inferior or misrepresented services re home repairs, etc.)
• Elder Abuse
• Identity Theft
• Burglary
• Larceny
• Sexual Assault
• Homicide

People who are going door to door sharing religious information do not fall under the same requirements to possess a permit and they are protected by under the First Amendment as it relates to Free Speech.

The San Carlos Police Department encourages all residents to report solicitor activity so appropriate enforcement action can be taken and criminal activity can be prevented.  Enforcement action on illegal solicitors is the only effective means for deterring them from returning to San Carlos and we rely on you, the community, to help us in our efforts.

Please call the San Carlos Police Department at 650-802-4325 to report solicitor activity occurring in your neighborhood.