Following from the POA Bulletin, January-2013
http://www.poa4us.org/bulletins_file...etin201301.pdf
Seniors Vs Crime
Leading the Fight Against Scams
Combating Door-to-Door Peddlers
Villagers often voice frustrations over
door-to-door solicitations. Some mistakenly
think we are a ‘gated’ community and can
keep solicitors out. Most of us know that is
not true – our roads are public property.
Anyone can use them. Our gates ‘monitor’
access but do not restrict access to our Villages.
The State of Florida does have laws governing
door-to-door sales. The Villages has
policies in place to reinforce state laws.
Knowing the rules is the first and most important
step in doing something to control door-to
-door solicitations within our community.
The Villages displays “No Soliciting” signs
at all entrance gates in The Villages which
prohibits individuals from trying to sell unwanted
items or services (solicitation) to residents.
The only legal way for vendors to sell
anything door-to-door within The Villages is
when they have a valid Home Solicitation
Sales Permit from the county. (There are some
individuals and organizations that are exempt
from having a permit, but they must be able to
show how they are excluded from having a
permit.)
Posting a sign on your door or in your
window at your residence that reads “No Soliciting”
should keep sellers you have not invited
to your home from trying to sell you
goods or services. Florida law prohibits individuals
from trying to sell items or services
to individuals who have posted “No Soliciting”
signs at their residence. Even though
Florida laws are a little unclear on when solicitation
becomes trespassing, the first line
of defense is for you, as a homeowner, to
post a “No Soliciting” sign on your property.
When someone comes to your door selling
something, and you did not invite them,
first ask to see their Sales Solicitation Permit.
FS 501.022(8) requires them to display their
permit BEFORE initiation of the solicitation
of a sale. If they do not have, or refuse to
show you, a Solicitation Permit, ask them to
leave immediately. If they refuse, and become
persistent, tell them that you will report
them to local authorities, and then do so!
If you want to report individual(s) violating
the Villages policy, call the Villages
Deed Compliance Office at 751-3912. After
hours and weekends call Community Watch
at 753-0550.
If you want assistance from the police to
remove these unwanted individuals or to report
solicitation without a permit, call 911.
Tell the law enforcement officers who come
to your house that you want to report these
people for solicitor misconduct and give as
much detail to the officers as possible. Otherwise,
the police will not be able to apprehend the violators.
If you are ever concerned for your property
security or your personal safety, call
911.
Florida Statutes 501.021 through 501.055
covers Florida home solicitation.