After recent reports of pushy door-to-door solicitors, Tiffin police are offering tips to residents feeling harassed or concerned about fraud.
Tiffin Police Chief Fred Stevens said residents should first ask to see a solicitor's permit, a must have for people going door to door.
"They have to stop up here and get a permit," he said. "And if residents ask to see it, then they have to show it."
If the solicitor doesn't show a permit or if the permit is expired, a phone call to the police department is welcome, Stevens said.
When applying for a permit, a solicitor must list the type of services they are proposing, along with their name and address and their supervisor's information. Before they hit the streets, the solicitor's driver's license is run through a system to check for outstanding warrants, and a city ordinance sheet is provided.
Stevens said if the city ordinance rules aren't followed, a permit can be revoked.
Permits also can be revoked if the police department receives complaints about the solicitor being too pushy, if they are misrepresenting themselves or acting in an unlawful manor.
"We tell them if they're using hard sales and if we get complaints, then their permit can be revoked anytime," Stevens said.
Solicitors are limited to going door-to-door between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and if a "no trespassing" sign is posted, the solicitor must comply.
"There's over 17,000 residents in Tiffin, move onto the next one," Stevens said.
