Has There Been an Uptick in Door-to-Door Solicitors in Campbell?

Magazine sellers, charity workers, newspaper subscription gatherers--most residents have at least once had one of these at their front door.

So how do you know if they're the real deal or a real red flag?

A recent release by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department indicated an uptick in door-to-door solicitors.

"We do come across door to door solicitors from time to time, but are not aware of any uptick in this activity occurring in Campbell," said Campbell Police Capt. Dave Carmichael.

Residents of the Pruneyard-Dry Creek Neighborhood Association have noticed a rise in crime in their neighborhood, as well as the appearance of similar door-to-door solicitors and are hoping to rally together to better keep an eye on their neighborhood.

"There has been a huge amount of door-to-door type salesmen in the area, so we are wondering if some if those are just part of a scheme to check homes out and see who is not home during the day," said resident of 36 years Lydia Habr.

The Pruneyard-Dry Creek Neighborhood Association, consisting of the residents of homes from Bascom to Leigh and Hamilton to Dry Creek, will be holding its next meeting on Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. and the topic to be discussed is neighborhood crime and safety.

Guest presenters at the neighborhood meeting will include Campbell Police Capt. Dave Carmichael from the Campbell Police Department as well as Campbell City Council Vice Mayor Rich Waterman. The meeting will be held at The San Jose Christian School at 1300 Sheffield Ave.

In the city of Campbell, solicitors are required to have a permit from the city prior to going door to door if they are selling or promoting a product, Carmichael said.

"An exception to the permit requirement would obviously be subjects who are engaging in religious, political, or other speech protected by the First Amendment," he said. "If a solicitor is legitimate, they should have with them a permit issued by the city. If there is any doubt about their validity or if the subject displays any sort of aggressive or suspicious behavior, we want our residents to immediately call the police."

Carmichael said that residents can get a hold of Campbell PD by either calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number of 408-866-2101.

"We will dispatch an officer to the area who can then make contact with the subject and ascertain if they have the proper permits, and take the appropriate enforcement action if necessary," he said.

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