Should I call the FBI?

Vanity | 08-03-05 | me

[nyconse]

Please excuse this vanity, but I don't know what to do. Yesterday, a foreign man came into our neighborhood selling children's books. He had a map of houses that had most of the children's names on the house they lived in. He kept asking the kids about where other children lived (parents were at the bus stop so was this guy and followed them home supposedly in order to sell books). The man would not say what company he was with or produce identification.He said he was from Latvia, but didn't sound Russian. How can you sell books if you won't say what company you are with? One Mother freaked out and called the police. The police asked for ID which the guy did not produce and then let him leave. I am upset and think they should have taken him in for questioning. He could be a child molester, a terrorist or really selling children's books (Although I don't see how). My neighbor thinks we should call the FBI or Homeland Security because captured terrorists had pictures of American schools and this could be some kind of terrorist plot. I have know idea what I should do- nor does my husband-advice please.

[durasell]

I say it's either gypsies, tramps or thieve. The guy was probably doing whatever he could. Preaching a little gospel
Selling a couple bottles of doctor good.

[Lancelot Jones]

To the best of my knowledge there are no laws which require anyone to produce identification on demand to the police when just walking around, and if selling door-to-door is not illegal where you live, he wouldn't be required to show a license for what he was doing; we don't require Girl Scouts to acquire a license to sell cookies door-to-door.

I think the mother who contacted the police did the right. He is now aware that the neighbors in your block, as well as the police, are alert, and if his intentions were of a dangerous nature, he will not be back near you or your kids.

My only suggestion is not to wait for someone else to make the call next time.

Beauseant!

[TheOtherOne]

"The sheriff said he told him to leave because we live in a 'do not solicit neighborhood'."

What is a "no solicit neighborhood"? Do you live in an area with a homeowners association or with CCR's?

There are no laws that prevent someone from coming to your door. You might live in a planned community that makes it a rule, but I doubt it is any type of law to prohibit people from approaching your door, if you live on an ordinary public street.

[JimRed]

If he returns, take out your camera a take pictures of the man, his auto etc, then call the FBI and give it to them.

If he returns, after contact with the police, he's probably legit. We've got to be careful, but there are some people out there who actually are what they say they are!

I do a lot of drive-by property valuations for banks, asset management companies, etc., usually with "no contact with owner or occupants" instructions. But cruising slowly down a suburban street, taking photos of a home and notes for the subsequent report can raise suspicion.

If someone is alerted to my presence and challenges me (and it is seldom the police), I'll pretend not to notice and drive off normally. If unable to "escape", I'll just explain what I'm doing, that details of why and for whom is confidential, and offer a card and a market analysis on their home.

[Lancelot Jones]

"Then they asked for my driver's license."

They did that because you were sitting in a car, there was reasonable expectation that you drove the car there, and they have the right by law to examine your license to operate that vehicle. Had you not been in a car, while they could certainly ask for you to produce ID, they had no way to demand it if you refused to comply.

Beauseant!

[stuartcr]

It seems, that if he waited around for the police to come, or didn't leave immediately, then he must not feel guilty about anything, or that he was doing anything wrong.

[TheOtherOne]

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 Monday that an Ohio village ordinance designed to discourage Jehovah's Witnesses and others from knocking on doors to spread their message is unconstitutional.

The ordinance required groups going door to door to register with the village and receive a permit, things the Witnesses were reluctant to do. However, Monday's decision will have an effect far beyond proselytizing and will make it easier for any group to approach someone's home on a mission to advocate, as long as the resident doesn't have a "No Solicitation" sign.

http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/6/17/180512.shtml

[SunnySide]

I would load film into a camera, try to snap this mans picture or auto license plates or video tape him. Evidence, you need evidence.

[bboop]

"Take pix of everything, of him, of the car" -- that is very good advice. Then you have taken some action. Even if no one believes you, you will eventually find someone who listens, and you will have documentation. And if he comes back .... He had children's names and where they lived? Red flag.

[proudpapa]

He's almost certainly legit. During much of the 90's I worked door-to-door for a company out of Nashville named Southwestern. (www.southwestern.com)

They work with many foreign students as well as thousands from the US. Their books are excellent. Top producers can make over $30,000 in one summer!

The reason this gentleman has a map of the neighborhood is to be more effecient. If someone will tell you which homes have children and which ones don't it can save you a lot of time.

Once, I sold a lady who delivered mail in her town. She told me which homes on her route had kids. Unsurprisingly, I had a great week after that.


My senior year I had to change tactics because of people who get spooked when a stranger knocked on their door, and they'ld call the police.

Every morning on my way to work I would stop at a dunkin donuts. I'd pick up a dozen assorted and deliver them to the local police station while at the same time informing them which neighborhoods, I would be working that day.

In no time the local police went from treating like an
outsider, to treating me as their source of manna.

When someone would call the police, they ended up vouching for me. The police would tell residents that I was a hard working college kid and that the books were excellent. Turned out to be my best summer!

If there's anyone out there with a hard working college kid I wouldn't hesitate to have them check out the southwestern company.

[proudpapa]

Here's an idea: Before calling the FBI and wasting their time. Why don't you ask to see the books. You don't have to invite him in. If he's selling he'll show them to you in your driveway. After two minutes of his canned presentation with a foreign accent you will know if he is legit or not.

Personally, I love the idea of europeans coming to America to learn about capitalism.

[MagnoliaB]

"The man would not say what company he was with or produce identification."

After this, do YOU still want to see his books? I would think this would speak for his legitimacy. The only reason I would listen to his canned presentation would be to stall him long enough for the FBI to get there.

[MagnoliaB]

Ha....haaaaa....haaa....

That was good.

[shield]

Call your local police...keep the locals involved..

[proudpapa]

You must realize that door to door book salespeople are trained to...

1. Work the law of averages. This means knocking on 80 - 130 doors a day, to talk to 50-75 people, this should result in 25-35 presentations and 3-15 sales.

2. Not spend time with non-buyers. This could include negative, skeptical individuals who want to see his ID.

As far as calling the police/FBI why? What crime has he committed? Just as you're not obligated to buy his books, he's not obligated to show any ID.

[sandydipper]

Did you notice his upper canines? Were they real long and sharp? If they were you need to call Buffy.

[Not A Snowbird]

Here you go, from ICE's website:
Report Suspicious Activity:
1-866-DHS-2ICE

[agenda_express]

Selling books "Door to Door" is not really done very meuch anymore, is it?

When I was in college, I sold what amounts to encyclopedias door-to-door. I know the company I worked for still does this, although I would have gladly told anyone who asked who I worked for when I was selling (The Southwestern Company - Nashville, TN).

We drew maps and highlighted families with kids so we knew who to market to and so we would not waste time on those without kids. It also helped if you had kids names of families who had bought from you so you could "build rapport".

By the way, I dislike solicitors, but I would recommend the job to anyone who wants to thicken their skin and take a little abuse. It's good for you.

[montag813]

just castrate him, to be safe

[26lemoncharlie]

Yes! -- I did Real Estate, and became a Rejection Addict!!