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Community Corner

Get Rid of Unwanted Solicitors

It's the time of year when solicitors are out in full force thanks to the nice weather. I'm writing this post today because I was visited by AT&T three times today! I told them no each time, but they just didn't get the message. I'm a younger person, so I know how to spot scam artists and what people can/can't do legally. Some scammers try to phish for information from people and pose as employees of a company in order to obtain sensitive information. Not all solicitors who come to your door do this, but it's just best to be aware of this issue that happens to people all the time, especially the elderly.

I thought I would provide tips for everyone so they know exactly how to handle solicitors.

1. Ask for their ID and St. Peters Peddlers/Solicitors license. If they don't have one, you should ask them to leave and call the St. Peters Non-Emergency line at 636-278-2222.

2. Get a free sticker from city hall that says "No Solicitors Invited" to post by your front door. This serves as sufficient notice that solicitors are not welcome and they must leave your premises.

3. Know the law: St. Peters City Code Section 605.170.

SECTION 605.170:     REGULATIONS FOR PEDDLING/SOLICITING

A.     It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person licensed as a peddler/solicitor to enter inside a residence within the City, not having been invited or requested to do so by the owner or occupant of such residence.

B.     Any peddler/solicitor, who has gained lawful entrance to any residence, shall immediately and peacefully depart from the residence when requested to do so by the owner or occupant thereof, or failing same shall be guilty of an ordinance violation.

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C.     When any peddler/solicitor shall receive partial payment for goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs, service or subscription from any person within the City, he/she shall execute and give to such person a written receipt therefor, which receipt shall be signed by the peddler/solicitor and shall set forth a brief description of the item or items ordered, the total purchase price thereof, including the principal and separately any interest or service charge, and the amount of the partial payment received by the peddler/solicitor from such person.

D.     Every owner or occupant who desires to prevent peddling/soliciting on their property shall comply with the following requirements:

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     1.     Notice of the determination by the owner or occupant of the refusal of an invitation to peddlers/solicitors to enter upon the property shall be given by notice posted on the property in the manner following:

               A weatherproof card, approximately three (3) inches by four (4) inches in size with letters at least two (2) inches in height shall be exhibited upon or near the main entrance door to the building, indicating such a determination by the owner or occupant, and containing the following words:

                         "No Solicitors Invited."

               For purpose of uniformity the cards shall be provided by the City to persons requesting them at no cost.  Posting of this card shall constitute sufficient notice to any peddler/ solicitor of the determination by the owner or occupant of the property of the information contained on it.

E.     It shall be the duty of any person engaging in the business of peddling/soliciting, whether licensed under this Article as a peddler/solicitor or not, upon going onto any property in the City to first examine and look for the notice provided for in this Section, if any is posted, and be governed by the statement contained on any notice.  If the notice states "No Solicitors Invited", then such person, whether licensed or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises, or failing same shall be guilty of an ordinance violation.

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