Illegal Soliciting in Torrance
The Torrance Police Department is frequently asked this question “Are people allowed to solicit in the City of Torrance?” The answer is yes; however, they must have a business license issued by the City of Torrance Business & Licensing Department. (Note: An LA County License does not qualify.) Below are some of the municipal codes for solicitors:
Section 31.3.1. - CARRYING ON BUSINESS WITHOUT LICENSE
No person (whether as principal or agent, clerk or employee, either for himself or for any other person, or otherwise) shall carry on any business in the City without first obtaining a license therefore from the City, and without complying with any and all applicable provisions of this Division. Each day that such a business is so carried on shall constitute a separate violation of this Division.
Section 34.1.5. – HOURS OF CANVASSING OR SOLICITING
No canvasser or solicitor selling or pretending to sell, or offering for sale or demonstration, good, ware or merchandise of any kind of character, or any article, material or substance, shall ring the bell or knock on the door of, or attempt to gain entrance to, any residence, dwelling, flat, or apartment after 9:00 P.M., in the evening of any day and before 9:00 A.M. in the morning of any day.
Section 34.2.1. – FUND CERTIFICATE
a) Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall solicit funds for himself or on behalf of any other person without a certificate to do so and except in compliance with the provisions of this Article. When such a certificate has been issued to any person other than an individual, the individual agents and solicitors for such a person shall not be required to obtain individual certificates. But shall be required to have and keep with them and available for inspection a true and legible copy of the original certificate issued to the person on behalf of whom or which the solicitation is being done.
b) The provisions of this Article shall apply to telephone solicitations where any portion of the process, including the making of telephone calls or the physical collection of monies solicited occurs in the City.
With that being said, some door-to-door solicitors may have other motives than selling magazines or services when they knock on your door, such as burglary or theft. Here are some tips when someone comes knocking at your door:
· Always acknowledge you are home. Talk through the door without opening it. If you do not answer, and it happens to be a criminal looking to break in, they may go around to the back to find a way to break inside.
· You are not obligated to open the door for anyone. Identification should always be verified before opening the door. Service representatives should have scheduled appointments and not just “show up” at your door.
· If they are not soliciting but asking for help, offer to contact the police or paramedics for them. The idea is to keep them outside and you make the call for them.
· If the person asks for help, has a suspicious story then leaves quickly, or you suspect they are soliciting without the proper licensing, call our non-emergency number at 310-328-3456 to report them. As with any suspicious circumstances, information about the subject is very important in order for the police to locate them. Give the call taker a good description of the subject including their clothing, hair color, any distinguishing features, direction of travel, vehicle, etc.
· If it is a solicitor trying to sell you something or asking for money, they must have a business permit issued by The City of Torrance Business & Licensing, NOT the County of Los Angeles or other city/county.
REMEMBER- you have no obligation to open the door. You can simply tell the solicitor through the door that you are not interested.
To look up Torrance municipal codes online go to the following website:
http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Torrance/
“See Something, Say Something”
Emergency 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: 310-328-3456
Provided By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.Police.TorranceCA.Gov
www.YouTube.com/TPDCommAffairs
www.Facebook.com/TorrancePD
www.Twitter.com/TorrancePD
Address/Location
Torrance Police Department
3300 Civic Center Dr
Torrance, CA 90503
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 310-328-3456