Crime Report

Door to Door Solicitation Has Become a Problem…
It is not against the law, as long as they have filed with the Police Commission for an “information Card†…Every city is governed by its own set of ordinances, the Los Angeles City Municipal Code (LACMC) Number 44.00 sets forth the criteria needed to solicit within the City limits. Regardless of where the organization is based (even out of state charities) an application must be filed with the City of Los Angeles if the charity plans to solicit within the City. The application must state the intention of the charity and where the funds raised will be dispensed. A background check is conducted to gather information on the organization. A permit or “ information Card†is then given to the organization to proceed with any solicitation method they chose. After the solicitation is completed the organization must file a report of results of activity with the City of Los Angeles.
Door to Door
If you don’t want to buy a magazine, candy or anything else, say “No thank you,†and close the door…If you are a person who has a hard time closing the door on a solicitor, do not open it in the first place. “Say No Thank You†..
Do Not Give Cash
Take the time to learn about the charitable organization you support or consider supporting. Tell the solicitor that you would like to do some research on the charity/organization. Ask every charity solicitor who solicits money from you where and how your contribution will be used. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, research the organizations, and do follow-ups with the city on these organizations. Don’t expect that every organization has all the proper paperwork they are supposed to have.
Post a sign, stating No Trespassing and No Solicitors.. But be prepared to back up the sign with an arrest if needed…If they do not have an “ information Card†Call 877- ASK LAPD (877 275-5273) and request a Police unit to respond to the area, please write down a description of the solicitor.
When the solicitor is stopped by a unit and they don’t have an information card, they will be asked to leave the area and stop soliciting until they obtain one, they can be cited and or arrested if the officer doesn’t receive any compliance. DO NOT feel pressured to give a donation. If interested in donating, do your research. Request to review a copy of the required Information Card and proper identification from the solicitor.
Below is some information on the Give Wisely campaign, it is intended to assist the public in making informed decisions when donating money or personal time to non-profit organizations. The goal is to regulate charitable activity by encouraging the public to use common sense and research any solicitation before donating.
Introduction
As the world continues to deal with natural disasters and societal concerns, Americans have been incredibly generous. For example, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Americans donated over $2 billion; and when the tsunami crashed ashore in Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004, donors contributed $1.54 billion to charity. Even more amazing was the philanthropic response to Hurricane Katrina that generated $4.2 billion in donations. Every year, hundreds of millions of dollars are donated to organizations for various causes, but a large percentage of funds is lost to deceptive individuals and organizations posing as legitimate charities. Questions frequently asked are “How do I know a charity is legitimate?†and/or “Where does the money go once donated?â€
The Key To Wise Giving
Be an informed giver. Ask questions before you give. Find out how much of your donation will actually go to the charity. If you don’t know who is asking, don’t give. When a stranger asks for donations, do not assume money is honestly being raised for charitable causes. Call the charity. To avoid falling victim to a fraudulent solicitor, contact the charity directly before giving a donation and verify the solicitation is authorized and legitimate.
Refuse high-pressure appeals. Do not allow a caller to intimidate you to give “right now.†Legitimate charities won’t rush you to donate.
Watch out for similar sounding names. False charities often use names that closely resemble the name of a well-known organization. DO NOT send cash. Always make contributions by check payable to the organization and insist upon a receipt.
Protect your identity. DO NOT give credit card or personal information over the phone.
Avoid “Instant†charity web sites. The Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments DO NOT solicit donations over the telephone, by mail or door-to-door. Call the agency directly to ensure actual fundraiser participation.
What To Do About…
If you see anything that you feel is suspicious, but not an emergency, go to www.alertcommunity.com It allows citizens to document suspicious activity quickly, easily, and anonymously. This web site contributes to the safety of our community and to the prevention of crime. The database is accessed only by the LAPD.
If you have any questions: Please e-mail me at:
24914@lapd.lacity.org
Senior Lead Officer
Phillip Enbody