Police: Solicitors Common in Plainfield

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This week, a solicitor in Yorkville had his permit revoked after his reportedly aggressive sales pitch while selling educational children's books disturbed homeowners. Residents of Plainfield, Joliet, Romeoville and other nearby towns reported similar encounters with door-to-door salespeople.

"He was in Prairie Trail in Plainfield today, moments before I read about it on The Patch," a reader named Kimberly wrote on Plainfield Patch's Facebook page. We called the police and they were rolling through our neighborhood within minutes."

Another reader in Joliet reported a similar encounter. "(He came around to my backyard where my daughter and I were," Kelly wrote. "I let him know I was not interested. He set his backpack down and insisted he show me the children's books he had. I walked towards the house and told him no. He said if I was busy he would return the next day. I told him no and went in the house. It was very uncomfortable."

Wrote Michelle, "These people have been in Crest Hill in the past and this last summer there was a blonde guy on a bike at my house with a thick accent. As the other ones have done in the past, he asked me to help him map the neighborhood families with children and how old the children were. I told him that wasn't happening and a bunch of lies about the kajillion kids in my driveway - which is the only reason I answered the door - I wanted him to go away from all the kids."

Sgt. Mike Fisher said solicitors are common in Plainfield during the summer. On one of his recent shifts, Fisher said, police received three calls from homeowners bothered by solicitors.

"If they don't have a permit, we kick them out of town," he said. If police receive numerous complaints about a solicitor who does have a permit, the permit can be revoked, he said. Fisher said homeowners should always ask to see a solicitor's permit.

Although the door-to-door sales pitches have proved annoying for residents, Fisher said activity typically tapers off as summer ends. 

In Plainfield, individuals and groups going door-to-door can obtain a permit for $35; permits are good for 30 days, and only one month is granted at a time. A background check is done on all individuals listed on the permit, according to the police department.

Fisher said anyone who is bothered by a solicitor can contact police, who will come out and check if the salesperson has a valid permit.