Information for Residents on Door-to-Door Soliciting

There has been an increase of suspicious individuals going door-to-door in the Village and our neighboring communities.

Solicitors come in many shapes and sizes.  They can offer deals on magazines, energy audits, and various other too good to be true opportunities. It is never a good idea to give cash to a stranger at your front door.  

Please be wary when an uninvited stranger visits your home.  To help you remain safe and protect your family please review and follow these safety tips for interacting with a solicitor.     

• Never open the door to someone you do not know. If you feel uneasy, don’t open the door. Call the Croton-on-Hudson Police if a solicitor is aggressive or asks to enter your home. Never feel obligated to greet an unfamiliar person knocking at your door. 
• Always look through the peep hole or window and see who it is. Speak through your doorbell camera if possible. 
• Teach your children what to do if they are alone and someone comes to your home or is looking in windows. 
• Solicitors must have a Solicitor’s Permit issued by the Village of Croton-on-Hudson. Always ask for documentation and identification. A list of valid soliciting permits can be found on the Village website: https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/village-clerk/pages/door-door-soliciting.
• If the solicitor does not go peaceably on their way, call the Croton-on-Hudson Police for assistance. 
• Watch where the solicitor goes next and notice what they do. Look for suspicious behavior such as looking in car windows, testing doors for locks, or entering back yards. 
• Report aggressive or suspicious solicitors to Croton-on-Hudson Police immediately at 911 (aggressive or threatening) or non-emergency 914-271-5177 (suspicious). Provide a description of the solicitor and what direction they were headed. 
• Follow identify theft prevention guidelines by never giving your credit card information or a check to anyone who solicits you that you do not know. It is often very difficult to determine if someone is legitimately representing a real organization or charity.
• Always keep doors and windows locked. Storm doors or security doors are helpful when dealing with solicitors because you can see and speak safely through the door. 
• Village residents are permitted to place “No Soliciting” signs on their property, which licensed solicitors are required to respect.

Should you have further questions or concerns regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact the Village Manager’s office at 914-271-4848 or [email protected]