Ask the Officer: Dealing with door-to-door solicitors Ask the Officer: Dealing with door-to-door solicitors (October 13, 2004)

Menlo Park police officer Glenn J. Raggio answers questions about the police and law enforcement. Call 330-6396, or e-mail: asktheofficer@menlopark.org.

Q. When are we going to take action against the solicitors who turn up on our doorsteps and on city streets?

A. We've been taking action. Last year, Menlo Park's police chief directed patrol units to crack down on these "visitors" and to use everything in our means to eliminate the problem: municipal codes, penal codes, and publicity informing the citizens of Menlo Park.

For years I have entreated people not to contribute to door-to-door or downtown solicitors. We can all protect our neighbors and our community by ceasing to offer money to anyone on the street or on our porches.

It is because of our generosity that we find more and more of these individuals in our town, despite the fact that we have had trouble with them since day one.

Stop the giving! Give through office, the mail, the Internet -- anywhere but on the streets and at your front door.

When we stop giving in this manner, we take the most effective step in eliminating the problem and future risks.

Do not be intimidated by these individuals. Rude behavior gives us teeth to take action. Just call us.

I'm a resident myself; I'm telling you that this is the easiest of all problems to solve. Just give at the office.

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