Elgin warns residents about aggressive solicitors

The Elgin Police Department alerted residents Wednesday to aggressive solicitors after receiving two complaints about a man trying to sell a security system. At one home, the man told a 63-year-old woman someone could cut her phone lines and kill her if she didn’t get the system, according to police reports.

Police spokeswoman Sue Olafson said the department has received several complaints of solicitation beyond the two calls Tuesday.

“We wanted to ensure that the community understood what local ordinance provided and how they could respond if they’re feeling uncomfortable,” Olafson said.

Elgin ordinances require solicitors to get a city permit before going door to door. They must wear ID badges, only solicit between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and leave immediately if there is a no solicitation/peddlers sign or sticker on display at a residence. The solicitor also is prohibited from misrepresenting the quality, price or amount of goods or services offered.

Police encourage residents to put up a no solicitation sign and call right away with a description of a solicitor acting outside of the ordinance regulations.

“Some solicitors are pushing their way into people’s homes,” Sgt. Joanne Demmin said in a news release. “Most often it’s senior citizens that fall victim to this tactic.”

The 63-year-old woman, who lives on Porter Street, had to tell the solicitor to leave at least eight times before he finally did, reports said, only to return an hour later saying he knew she called police.

A 22-year-old woman on Second Street had to tell presumably the same man to leave her property three times just after 7 p.m., according to police reports.

Because neither woman signed a complaint, charges were not filed.