It's not just annoying, it can be dangerous but traveling salespeople have the right to do business in the Quad Cities. Each of the cities requires a license for anyone hoping to sell their wares door-to-door and leader's say that's at least one line of protection. 8 On Your Side Reporter Chris Williams asked the question; how much protection does a license provide? The answer may surprise you.
Just last Summer police our area investigated dozens of complaints after a group swarmed neighborhoods claiming to sell magazines. Police ticketed some of them for working without licenses. They were also accused of targeting seniors and trashing a Bettendorf hotel before skipping town. Residents were told to be cautious and do no business until they asked to see the solicitor's city permit.
All five of the Quad Cities require solicitors to check in with city hall but our investigation found the level of protection from solicitor licenses varies in each town.
"We take soliciting very seriously", said East Moline's Finance Director Jim Hughes. "If people have a legitimate business $25 for six days is not a lot to ask."
That part of the license fee in East Moline. The State Police also collects $44 which brings the total cost to $69 for a six day permit. Applicants must show a valid picture I.D. The city and state agencies search police records. If a red flag is raised the city will deny the license.
"Not all of the Quad Cities do background checks", I told Hughes. "Does that surprise you?"
He answered, "Yes it does."
"You can't catch everybody", Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba told us. "Somebody blows into town they're not gonna check with city hall, they're just gonna start selling stuff."
A $300 application fee and proof of $1,000 bond is all you need to go door to door in Davenport. No picture I.D. and no background check is required.
Mayor Gluba responded to our investigation saying, "We're glad Channel 8 is bringing this issue to the attention of the elected officials in the Quad Cities area. You know, it sounds like it runs hit or miss. You know, nothing happens for a while then some group comes to the area traveling across, apparently the country, fleecing the flock taking advantage of people and then it's on everybody's radar screen then it dissipates. I'll be bringing this up to the city council safety committee and perhaps asking them if it's worth having further discussion."
Rock Island checks I.D. and hands the application to police but they say their ability to actually investigate is limited. Officials with the department told us they research local records but are legally not allowed to check into state or federal criminal complaints. The information is kept on record so patrol officers know when salespeople are working. The cost ranges from $25 dollars for a one day license to a $450 for an annual permit.
Moline's license application costs $50 dollars for a week and applicants must show a picture I.D. Officials with the Moline Police Department tell us they search local, state and federal criminal records. The city finance managers says they won't hesitate to deny a license if investigators raise concerns.
In Bettendorf the cost is $15 a day and police do run a background check but, even if that comes back to show criminal convictions, the applicant most likely gets a license.
"Why do a background check if you are going to give them a permit anyway", I asked Bettendorf Police Chief Phil Reddington.
He answered, "The background check is primarily for our information so we know who's out there. I also think it's somewhat of a deterrent for someone that might be wanted or has a really bad record thinking, 'I'm not going to go down and expose myself' in your community."
Reddington argues, just because someone has a checkered criminal past doesn't mean they'll come to town to rip-off residents. He also has legal concerns about preventing someone from working and asks, where would do you draw the line? Would you deny a license to a convicted drunk driver out of fear they would cause an accident while driving through a neighborhood?
He added, "We feel comfortable with the process that we have to make sure it's as safe as possible. Does that mean we'll never have a problem because of our process? No. But I do think it will cut down on the problems if you do have a good solid process in place."
No matter what it takes to get a license, all of the cities have laws regarding how salespeople must behave while working door to door. If they're pushy and disrespectful, lock the door and don't hesitate to call the police.
When it comes to preventing scams, you can't always count on someone else to protect you, you must protect yourself.
Each Quad City has its' own punishment for salespeople caught working without a license but most say they first inform solicitors of the need to apply for a permit. Fines and jail time are possible for those who still fail to file.
Just last Summer police our area investigated dozens of complaints after a group swarmed neighborhoods claiming to sell magazines. Police ticketed some of them for working without licenses. They were also accused of targeting seniors and trashing a Bettendorf hotel before skipping town. Residents were told to be cautious and do no business until they asked to see the solicitor's city permit.
All five of the Quad Cities require solicitors to check in with city hall but our investigation found the level of protection from solicitor licenses varies in each town.
"We take soliciting very seriously", said East Moline's Finance Director Jim Hughes. "If people have a legitimate business $25 for six days is not a lot to ask."
That part of the license fee in East Moline. The State Police also collects $44 which brings the total cost to $69 for a six day permit. Applicants must show a valid picture I.D. The city and state agencies search police records. If a red flag is raised the city will deny the license.
"Not all of the Quad Cities do background checks", I told Hughes. "Does that surprise you?"
He answered, "Yes it does."
"You can't catch everybody", Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba told us. "Somebody blows into town they're not gonna check with city hall, they're just gonna start selling stuff."
A $300 application fee and proof of $1,000 bond is all you need to go door to door in Davenport. No picture I.D. and no background check is required.
Mayor Gluba responded to our investigation saying, "We're glad Channel 8 is bringing this issue to the attention of the elected officials in the Quad Cities area. You know, it sounds like it runs hit or miss. You know, nothing happens for a while then some group comes to the area traveling across, apparently the country, fleecing the flock taking advantage of people and then it's on everybody's radar screen then it dissipates. I'll be bringing this up to the city council safety committee and perhaps asking them if it's worth having further discussion."
Rock Island checks I.D. and hands the application to police but they say their ability to actually investigate is limited. Officials with the department told us they research local records but are legally not allowed to check into state or federal criminal complaints. The information is kept on record so patrol officers know when salespeople are working. The cost ranges from $25 dollars for a one day license to a $450 for an annual permit.
Moline's license application costs $50 dollars for a week and applicants must show a picture I.D. Officials with the Moline Police Department tell us they search local, state and federal criminal records. The city finance managers says they won't hesitate to deny a license if investigators raise concerns.
In Bettendorf the cost is $15 a day and police do run a background check but, even if that comes back to show criminal convictions, the applicant most likely gets a license.
"Why do a background check if you are going to give them a permit anyway", I asked Bettendorf Police Chief Phil Reddington.
He answered, "The background check is primarily for our information so we know who's out there. I also think it's somewhat of a deterrent for someone that might be wanted or has a really bad record thinking, 'I'm not going to go down and expose myself' in your community."
Reddington argues, just because someone has a checkered criminal past doesn't mean they'll come to town to rip-off residents. He also has legal concerns about preventing someone from working and asks, where would do you draw the line? Would you deny a license to a convicted drunk driver out of fear they would cause an accident while driving through a neighborhood?
He added, "We feel comfortable with the process that we have to make sure it's as safe as possible. Does that mean we'll never have a problem because of our process? No. But I do think it will cut down on the problems if you do have a good solid process in place."
No matter what it takes to get a license, all of the cities have laws regarding how salespeople must behave while working door to door. If they're pushy and disrespectful, lock the door and don't hesitate to call the police.
When it comes to preventing scams, you can't always count on someone else to protect you, you must protect yourself.
Each Quad City has its' own punishment for salespeople caught working without a license but most say they first inform solicitors of the need to apply for a permit. Fines and jail time are possible for those who still fail to file.
