Wm "Bill" Musser, Chief of Police
1401 E. Watertower St.
Meridian, ID 83642
July 11, 2005
The sellers are described as typically young people, fail to have the required city license, claim they live nearby "in the yellow house" or on a specific street near you, and may use a ploy (I call it guilt) to make a sale to the resident.
Ada County recently cited and released a young 19 year old woman for not having a solicitor license. She is traveling with a group of individuals selling magazines door-to-door and telling potential customers that the sales are for their college fund and a trip to Paris. One of the members of this traveling group used the ploy that most of the neighbors were donating the books to the Women/Children Crisis Center. These are false statements. The suspects are driving a green van and are expected to be in the area for a couple of weeks before moving on to the next area.
Be wise. We have seen many in the past who have used this scenario to case the homes for future burglaries. Often these "salespeople" ask the resident for a drink of water or to use the bathroom and while they are in the house they take easily accessible items. Later the resident has found items missing.
You don't need to open your door for someone you don't know and are not expecting.
Door-to-door salespeople must have a Meridian City license to sell, these licenses can be obtained at the City Clerk's office located in City Hall. Each seller must have the license on their person. If they don't, please feel free to call police dispatch at 377-6790 and they will try to get an officer out to your neighborhood to make contact with the salesperson.
If you have any questions regarding this Alert contact Melissa Delaney Crime Prevention at 846-7360.
1401 E. Watertower St. * Meridian, Idaho 83642
208-846-7360 * Fax 208-846-7366