Suspicious Solicitors in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz police are warning residents about questionable door-to-door soliciting practices that have been occurring recently in the city.

The police have been alerted to multiple instances of male solicitors going door-to-door asking for money to fund a sponsored photography trip or communications study to Europe, with similar reports of a female solicitor selling magazine subscriptions, claiming to be associated with a local nonprofit.

In many instances, one or two solicitors will come to the door, often ringing the doorbell multiple times and claim that they are a neighbor trying to raise money for the trip by selling magazines or children's books, police said.

Police do not know how many residents have contributed to the solicitors.

Authorities are notifying residents that anyone going door-to-door soliciting must have a business license from the city. It is also unlawful to solicit anyone between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., according to police.

Residents are warned to never give money to individuals or organizations that do not provide a legitimate business license and cause.

Anyone with concerns about solicitors can call an anonymous tip line at (831) 420-5995.


(3/8/10) (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)