The following information was provided by Courtney Palmer, Greenville’s Crime Prevention Specialist, in response to the recent suspicious activity many of you reported.
There have been a few questions/concerns lately about individuals going door-to-door in city neighborhoods. In both cases, it seemed very unlikely the individuals were selling a legitimate product and they did not follow any of the “rules” City Hall/Business Licensing has in place. Please read below and forward to all your neighbors and continue to encourage them to call us (271-5333) about any suspicious activity, even if it seems like nothing. Thank you and please let me know if you need anything!
As a reminder, all door-to-door salesmen in the City of Greenville should have:
* a current business license…ask to see it. It must be with them…not in a van somewhere else, or with their boss, etc.
* a visible ID badge issued by their business.
* a shirt with the business name and logo.
They are allowed to operate only between 9:00 am and 1/2 hour BEFORE SUNSET…never after dark, and never on Sunday except by special appointment or invitation of the prospective customer. Please call the Police immediately if you encounter this….271-5333.
They must leave your premises immediately upon your request.
The only way to prevent being solicited is to post your property with “no solicitations allowed”, and even that does not always stop them. However they can then be charged with a misdemeanor.
If you are at all uncomfortable with the legitimacy of the business, or with the sales tactics that they use, please do not hesitate to contact the Greenville Police at their non-emergency number of 271-5333. They are happy to send an officer out to investigate the situation, and depending on the issue, may also contact the Business License office.
Please share this information with any of your older neighbors who may not have email. They are often the most vulnerable to pressure tactics.
Courtney R Palmer, CPDCrime Prevention Specialist
Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinator
4 McGee Street
Greenville, SC 29601
O (864)467-2672
F (864)467-8359
