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James Semon, captain of The Perfect Neighborhood Watch in Hauppauge, emailed this open letter to Patch warning residents of door-to-door salesmen, and how to identify legitimate groups or businesses.
I would like to give some thoughts and share information in regards to door-to- door solicitations and the safety concerns that result from them. As reported in the news lately, (Nassau criminals target the elderly) there has been an increase in criminal activity using the cover of soliciting or working for different services in order to commit crime, or possibly perform recon for a later crime.
Criminals posing as utility workers doing home improvement, contractors and cable TV installers among others have plagued our neighborhoods for years. In fact, the idea of knocking on your door in order to perform reconnaissance for a burglary is nothing new.
A Google search on “door-to-door salesman committing crime” will show plenty of hits in regards to this activity across the nation. As the captain of a neighborhood watch group, I have personally seen the effect of door-to-door solicitors in my community and some of the crime that accompanies it. As I see it, this is a direct assault on my family’s privacy, safety and security. All too often these people have been known to target the elderly.
Now, we’re not talking about the Girl Scouts selling cookies or kids from the school selling raffles. We’re talking about strangers knocking on your door selling something. Let’s take a look at the information that a would-be thief can obtain by walking up to a house and knocking on the door.
From the curb
- Are there security cameras visible on the home?
- What kind of car is in the driveway?
- Is there mail in the mailbox?
- Are newspapers on the driveway?
- Are Garbage cans in the street on a non-pickup day?
- Outside lights on during the day?
All of these are telltale signs the home is most likely unoccupied. That’s a lot of information before they even step on your property. But let’s not stop there.
Walking up your driveway
- Are the vehicle(s) unlocked?
- Is there anything on the front seat or visible in the vehicle that can be easily taken, now or later on (iPods/GPS systems/ Laptops/ money)?
- Is there a garage door opener visible that can be used to gain access to the home?
- Are there alarm signs visible?
At your door
- Are there alarm stickers or a sign visible?
- Is there a beware of dog sign?
- Does the front door have decorative glass or sidelight glass (to look inside the home)?
- Are motion lights visible, or any light for that matter?
- Can the light be easily disabled (unscrewed)?
- Are there overgrown shrubs hiding windows or entry points?
When you answer the door
- Who answered the door (senior / kid / man / woman, or nobody)?
- Is there a dog barking or dog bowl visible?
- Is there an alarm keypad visible - so the thief can look in the decorative door glass later to see if it’s armed?
All this information just from walking up and knocking on your door. They haven’t even got to their pitch yet. Now it’s time to get you to give up information.
Pitch: "We’re in the area next week cleaning gutters; we can give you 25% off.”
Homeowner: “Next week is no good, we’re busy that week.”
What the solicitor just heard: “Oh, so you might not be home next week? Interesting, I’ll make a mental note of that.”
I know the example is very simple and may seem naïve, but you would not believe the information people offer up to complete strangers. I’ve seen first-hand, people reveal very sensitive information. Heck, we tell the whole world when and where we’re going on vacation on Facebook.
So what can be done?
Well, in the Town of Smithtown at least, most people don’t know the town’s code for door-to door solicitors was changed in April 2010 making it illegal to solicit unless certain laws have been adhered to. Previously, there was not really anything the police could do about solicitors. That’s not true anymore.
As per section §215-14 Enforcement:
It shall be the duty of any police officer of the Suffolk County Police Department and/or the Ordinance Inspector of the Town of Smithtown to require any person who is engaged in peddling to produce his peddler's license and to enforce the provisions of this Article against any person found to be violating the same.
Thanks to some Hauppauge community members, various town employees, as well as my predecessor who ran this [neighborhood] watch group, Smithtown amended its town code Section 215 in regards to solicitors. This new code now makes it necessary to file for a permit, pay a fee, submit to fingerprinting, have a background check done, provide dates of door-to-door sales activity and supply proof of your organization among other requirements, to name just a few.
If it is a religious or not-for-profit organization, they do not need a permit but are required to register with the town clerk's office and supply proof of organization, dates of activity in Smithtown and other items.To view the entire code, which goes into much more detail, I’ve provided a link here.
It is my hope, that by arming Smithtown residents with this information, we can better secure the safety of our homes and families by ensuring that the people who do knock on our doors have been properly vetted. So the next time someone knocks on your door to sell something, invoke Section 215 of the town code and call for enforcement.
Respectfully,
James Semon
Hauppauge Resident
Captain of The Perfect Neighborhood Watch
robkoz
11:51 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I'd like to add this, at night never answer your door. Always answer it from an adjacent window. There has been quite a few people coming to our door these past few months when it's dark out this includes the annoying Cablevision reps. It always catches them off guard when I answer their knock from the window above. I've had a few "choice" people trying to sell things to "win a vacation." When it's dark out no less. And yes, the cops were called.
Anthony Zumpano
12:36 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
How about those kids hauling giant plastic containers of crap? They're driven to the neighborhood from Parts Unknown, roam the streets for hours, and ring my doorbell at like 9pm.
James Semon
12:56 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Anthony,
We call those people "The Candy Kids". There is a history with them including some questionable practices and very shady organizers . In addition, it is illegal to be under the age of 16 without a parent or leagal guardian and go door to door (1 parent per kid). The people who send them out (The New York Youth Club) could also be held accountable for for child endangerment. They no longer come to my area thanks to people calling for enforcement. Want them to stop? Call 911 or 852-COPS as you see fit.
-James
Irisheyes
2:04 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
@James, thanks for enlightening us about those kids with the big totes. They always knock at dinnertime and look inside when you open the door. I have since learned about the peddling license code: Does it apply to Cablevision, oil companies and people "doing another job for your neighbor" as well?
Jennifer Ryan
8:30 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Please also note, homes with 1 car and window shades drawn all the time are notice to undesirables that the occupant lives alone. Make sure you home looks like there is activity and that window shades change levels often and lights are not limited to that hallway light.
James Semon
10:38 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Perfectly said!
George
9:21 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I saw "The Candy Kids" again last night in Saint James. I have read in the past there is something shady about their organization. I think I may have read something about these kids being somehow coerced into doing this. When they speak they sound almost brainwashed or under duress. Does anyone have any specific information/history on The New York Youth Club? By the way... GREAT article... and VERY useful!
James Semon
10:40 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
George, I would be happy to discuss this and provide information to you on this organization if you want to send me your email.
George
9:47 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I went on the internet to read about NYYC and the overall feeling I got is that at best this is a poorly run organization with organizers who want to operate without rules and at worst an organization who uses the race card hoping that guilt or even fear will motivate people to help minority youth. Either way it does not work for me.
Claudia Bernard
5:37 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
My company Protection Plus Solutions, http://wwwprotectionplussolutions.com
Is a leading background screening company that provides the safest and most secure background screening system for retail Door-to-Door marketing companies and the home service industry.
Not only do we provide an indepth and thorough background check, we also monitor each employee every month for criminal misconduct after hire. Our CrimSPY monitoring system provides the peace of mind companies need in the home service industry. We also provide a very unique ID badging system that allows home owners, busniess owners, and law enforcement agencies the ability to review information about a home service technician or door to door sales rep by either logging into our website to verify an ID badge or into the company website that they're working for.
Also, if a sales rep has made an appointment with a customer the ID badge can be sent via email. The ID badge will show that the tecnician or sales rep is authorized to enter their home or business.
If after hire there is a criminal hit, the ID badge will show as FAILED on our website, an alert will be generated to the company they're working for and will also update on the companies website.
Our pricing is competitive and we do provide volume discounts.
Contact us at 1877 725-5412 or visit us at www.protectionplussolutions.com for additional information. You can also view our ID badging system on our website under BadgeLINK (TM)
James Semon
6:14 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Interesting company, and probably very useful to merchants. Sounds like a good idea . However the town code is the law and must be adhered to. Your company does not trump obtaining a liscence from the town and meeting their requirements. I just want to be clear on that point and do not want residents to be confused. If you solcit door to door in Smithtown, all requirements of town code section 215 must be fullfilled, or the solicitor is breaking the law and can be arrested and their company can be fined.
George
9:23 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Claudia, did you pay for this rather log-winded advertisement? If not, please tell how you did it because It would benefit me to know!
LIsa Lisa
5:12 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
James can you please cite the law you are referring to when you say
In addition, it is illegal to be under the age of 16 without a parent or leagal guardian and go door to door (1 parent per kid).
Thank you
James Semon
5:45 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Lisa
I purposely included a link to the town code so people can go there and understand it in more detail than I could go into here. It's important to put the residents in the driver seat. I also don't want folks to take my word for anything but rather read it for themselves, but if it helps here it is. Section 215-3 states
License requirements.
[Amended 10-6-2009]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 16 to peddle within the Town of Smithtown, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle within the Town of Smithtown without first having obtained a valid license therefor, as provided hereunder.
C.
Every employer who hires a person to peddle on its behalf without first having obtained a valid license therefor shall be subject to the penalties hereunder.
I really hope that people that want to stop these individules read the code, understand it, and apply it when necessary. My first question to the town when this amendment was made was can one parent take fourteen kids around going door to door (i.e. the candy kids) and the answer was no. Each child needs a parent or legal guardian. My next question was what constitutes a legal guardian. I'll refer you to look at NYS definition of a legal guardian for that definition. I hope this helped.
LIsa Lisa
5:56 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Maybe I'm blind James but I don't see where you purposefully included a link, I also don't see where it indicates 1 child per parent. You may have verbally asked about an adult taking 14 kids, with them and got an answer of "no" but I would imagine most families in Smithtown have less than 14 kids, but also often more than 1 so it is plausible that a parent or legal guardian can have 2 or 3 children selling with them.
James Semon
6:20 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I'm not sure what your point is but:
...To view the entire code, which goes into much more detail, I’ve provided a link here."
If you look in the body, the last word "here" is blue and contains a hyperlink. so hover your mouse over the blue "here", click on it, and it will take you to the code. Or you could simply goolgle "Smithtown Code"
You can interpert it however you like. The purpose of changing the code is to not only protect the resident, but to keep unscrupulous people using children to go door to door.
Obviously if 1 parent has 4 kids, that would be ok (since each child would have a parent or guardian). However, a guy taking 5 kids around the neighborhood and only being the parent to one of them, that would be against the law, IF someone wanted to call for enforcement of that.
This is not about taking kids trick or treating oe selling raffels, it's about using children to sell products to make money. If you don't agree with what I have to say, you can always call the town and speak to the board and the lawyers who worded the code for clarification.
I did and that was the answer I got.
LIsa Lisa
8:18 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I said I didn't see it James.
My point is that you are actually the one interpreting what you have read and been told, you didn't ask if a parent could bring more than one of their own children you asked if they could bring a group of 14 kids, that would not bring me to the conclusion of 1 child per parent.
I would suggest you change your tone, replying to people in such a snippy way is really a turn off.
Good day.
We Heart Long Island
1:14 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Yes you are.
James Semon
7:18 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Interesting this should be a topic of conversation. At this very momemt, I just received an email from a watch member that the candy kids are going door to door in the birds section in Hauppauge. This member reacted without hesitation and called 911 for enforcement, as did another member. If these kids turn out to be under 16, they are out in the street, in the dark, unsupervised knocking on doors. It is dangerous for them to be out here, trying to sell candy for $7. Hence the entire reason for this conversation. A sector car was dispatched to investigate. These kids could be hit by a car, or approached by a predator.
Kathy Tonry
8:18 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
James, thanks for all you do!!
James Semon
9:01 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Your Welcome Lisa Lisa, you too!
barbara
10:10 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Odd how you point out that this code does not apply to kids selling raffles then a comment later your concern shifts to the safety of the children. What would it matter what they were selling if the whole issue is a safety concern for the residents and for the children?
James Semon
10:19 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I never said it doesn't apply. don't put words in my mouth I was attempting to draw a comparison between children selling raffels as opposed to kids being dropped off from other towns to sell things door to door, unsupervised, to make money for people who are using them as a tool.
If I didn't say that, people would say "So we should call the cops on Girl scouts?".
The law applies to as it is written. If you feel the children are unsupervised and feel you should call for enforcement, then you should do so. That is all I'm saying. If you have a school kid selling raffels and want to call 911, then you can do so.
DJMc
10:12 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I'm not sure why all these posts turn personal, but here we go again. Lisa Lisa, as a outsider I read your first post to James, and found it quite condescending - you sound like you're reprimanding a 5 year old. Just a suggestion that you take your own advice to heart. If someone is trying to give you some info that they have, and you're not sure that their interpertation is correct, check it out for yourself before you add your own "interpertation". Thank you James for your info, and Lisa Lisa, I hope you get the clarification your looking for, and that you have a good day also.
Now, back to ways to be safe when someone's at your door............
James Semon
10:25 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thanks DJMc, I felt the same way. I'm a resident using my own time to try and help other residents. I'm not paid to do this, but yet people feel the need to get personal and attack. This is why I said "Go to the code and read it yourself" This is ridiculous.
But it's my fault for getting involved in this blog in the first place. Call, don't call, do whatever you want to do. I love people who want information, then question how the information was presented. I have no tolorence for these individules and will not reply to them. If they don't like what or how I say something they can ask for a refund!
LIsa Lisa
10:18 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
DJMc I have no idea how my first comment can be taken as condescending
"James can you please cite the law you are referring to when you say
In addition, it is illegal to be under the age of 16 without a parent or leagal guardian and go door to door (1 parent per kid).
Thank you"
barbara
10:24 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
James you might want to go back and reread your own comments since you specifically say it does not apply to kids selling raffles.
We Heart Long Island
1:17 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
You might want to go back and reread it.
James Semon
10:31 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
You go back and re-read, never said it doesn't apply. I said we're not talking about (calling the cops) on kids. Maybe you interperted it that way, butI never ever said it doesn't apply.
barbara
10:33 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Odd again you found it offensive when someone requested more information. I have to agree with Lisa there was nothing wrong with her initial question just the snotty reply she received for questioning someone who doesn't like his authority questioned.
We Heart Long Island
1:19 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
And how do you help your community?
DJMc
11:16 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
My mistake Lisa Lisa, it wasn't your first, it was your second (Thursday, 8:18am). I apologize. That wasn't my point, but I do apologize for my error. You have an absolute right to your questions. I truly didn't mean to offend you, in any way. I just thought the back and forth went from info gathering, which I find really interesting, to you said, I said. I was just wondering why that keeps happening-
Wow, Barbara is really angry. I don't think she likes you James. Like my original point - why so personal? I think the original questions were atleast regarding the code - not about credibility or authority issues.
Anyone want to go back to questions, tips, or comments on safety issues?
James Semon
11:55 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I think your right DJMc. She doesn't like me. Getting back to trying to keep our neighborhoods safe, here's another guy posing as a worker ripping people off
http://syosset.patch.com/articles/nabbed-cablevision-thief-hit-syosset
LIsa Lisa
5:17 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
DJMc, my second reply was defensive after Mr Semon replied to me, he could have given a simple polite response but chose his opening words instead which came off chastising and condescending, more like "I included a link(you idiot)"
That's how things go from gathering and sharing information to feelings of being attacked.
Hence my comment on Mr Semon's tone, you don't want things to get ugly, don't act ugly.
I do apologize for giving in to such ugly behavior myself.
localguy
11:46 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Come on kids, this is a little out of hand. Click on thr word "Here" and get the information you may or may not want. It apears to me that this is no longer about the information but rather the game of "i'm right, you're wrong". I have children that play the same game. I usually shut down their internet for a while when they act like this. I wish I could do the same to some of these posters.
James, thanks for a great article! Some of it I already knew, for instance when I know my neighbor is away for even 1 day I make sure his newspaper is brought in or his trash cans are brought in.
James Semon
11:59 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Glad you liked it localguy. The candy kids were reported in Ronkonkoma yesterday and just so happens, a car was also broken into the same day...just saying..it's an interesting coincidence
James Semon
12:05 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Sorry, let me be clear on that, a car was broken into on the same street the candy kids were seen on.
Irisheyes
2:18 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
After reading some of the comments here, I was curious about Girl Scouts (their annual sale is around the corner). Section 215-13 deals with EXEMPTIONS to the license requirements and reads in part as follows:
"Charitable, religious, or other not-for-profit organizations. However, for the purposes of this article, said organizations must register with the Clerk of the Town of Smithtown and provide proof of organizational status before engaging in any peddling activities. "
So I will now ask those who knock on my door (Sunday morning, no less!) or walk onto my property while I'm out doing yard work (insisting on pushing their pamphlets after I politely decline) if they have registered with the Town.
Those Scouts are certainly welcome at my doorstep (sign of the times, they need a parent for safety). Better start thinking about cookie choices (( o 8
James Semon
4:03 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Irisheyes
I’m really glad you found the information useful. If I can be of further help feel free to email me. Especially on the girl scout thing.
George
9:38 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
See what happens when there are no jobs?!
Nancy
9:43 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
James,
I hope you continue to do what your doing and ignore these 2 cry babies. I read what you said over and over and fail to see their issue. They asked a question and you answered it, well done. And how does an email have a "tone". As a veteran I appreciate any info you continue to send. I hope the editor will barr these 2 from any further comments so the rest of us can be educated. If they would stop whinning and read your article, maybe they would learn something as well.
Just disgusting...
Jennifer Sloat
12:36 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
I think all sides have been heard here. We will close comments on this article.