How to handle solicitors

1) My first action is to stop the solicitor’s spiel and ask to see their soliciting license which the person is required to have on their person when soliciting. I haven’t found one solicitor to date who has one on their person. They usually say, “It’s back at the office”. 

2) My second action is to remind them that soliciting on HOA property where a no soliciting sign has been erected indicating that the community has banned solicitation in a West Goshen Code violation. This is a new rule that was adopted by the Township in March of this year. 

3) My third action is to ask the solicitor to kindly leave the community or else I will call the West Goshen Police Department and report the violation (use the non-emergency number (610) 696-7403 and refer the officer answering to Police Chief Michael Carroll’s statement that solicitor violations will be prosecuted. 

4) My fourth action is to send an email to Sophia and Jenna alerting them of the encounter and my actions. Try to get specifics that would help both the police and the HOA – a description of the solicitor, name, company, phone number, vehicle description, license plate number, photo or Ring video, if possible.

§ 60-3. Rules of conduct. 

Every person to whom a license has been issued herein shall, in the carrying on of his business or activities in the township, comply with the following rules of conduct: 

1. He shall carry his license card at all times and exhibit it upon request to any officer or any person upon whom he shall call or with whom he shall talk in carrying on his licensed activities.

2. He shall not permit any other person to have possession of his license card and shall immediately report its loss to the Police. He shall not cause or permit his license card to be altered or defaced.

3. He shall not enter or attempt to enter any dwelling house without invitation or permission of the occupant and shall immediately leave any premises upon request. 

4. He shall not represent his license card to be an endorsement of himself or of his goods or services or of the goods or services of his principal or employer. 

5. He shall immediately surrender his license card upon revocation of his license as hereinafter provided. 

6. A licensee shall be permitted to conduct the activities described in § 60-1 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and dusk, Monday through Saturday.

7. A licensee shall not enter any property where the owner has displayed a "No Solicitation" sign.

8. A licensee shall not enter any property in a planned community where the homeowners' association of the planned community has displayed a "No Solicitation" sign. 

§ 60-7. Violations and penalties. 

Any person who violates or permits the violation of any provision of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a criminal enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a District Justice, pay a fine for each such violation in an amount not less than $50 and not more than $1,000, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the Township.