Due to the significant increase of door-to-door solicitors, especially those selling solar energy, in Monmouth, City Council has made changes to their Entitled Peddlers Ordinance, informs Communications Director Ken Helms:
“Door to door sales is a protected First Amendment right, so we are not able to completely ban door to door sales or door to door solicitation in Monmouth. What we have done is what some of the other cities in the region have done. We have discovered that some of them are using very predatory tactics. They are wanting to see people’s bills. We have had some claim they are working with Ameren. A lot of times they are entering these people into 15- and 30-year agreements. So, what we have done is change the fee for a license to $50 per solicitor, per day for a profit license and $25 for a daily non-for-profit license. They also have to wear an ID badge issued from the City of Monmouth. It will have their picture on it, their name, or company they are working from.”
A penalty has also been added. Helms says that if a person shows up at your door and don’t have an ID badge permitted by the City of Monmouth to present you, call the Monmouth Police Department. The first offense fine is $125 and then will increase.
