Ken reported that Saturday around 6:00 p.m. a young girl rang their bell selling magazines to win a trip to Europe and to go to nursing school. He declined and she was on her way. Twenty minutes later the bell rings again and it's another girl with the same story. He called the police and the officer came to the house and said there was a whole gang working neighborhoods and residents should be careful because it could be a scam (which I think it is). Surprised a large group waiting for their ride at the end of his street and the police  informed them that it was time to move on.   So everyone should be careful. Call the police and note that 7pm is curfew time for all solicitations- Definitely not too early to check http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/main.html?nneighid=757473775&nsupercity=446720064

We had one comeby last night, too, a black man probably in his late 40s who said he used to be a gand member and drug dealer who was doing it to turn his life around. I think it was before the 7:00 curfew. He was wearing credentials around his neck, but does anyone have an image of what the official city permit looks like?

Our city requires a permit and id for any soliciting, which the scammers don't have.  The permit has to contain a photo and be worn on their clothing. 
 
 It's in Chapter 302, Article 2,   Section 302-28:
 
Upon approval of the application by the Chief of Police, but before issuance of a permit by the City Clerk, each applicant shall provide to the Clerk a photograph. This photograph shall be incorporated into an identification card to be issued to the applicant by the City Clerk. The card shall be of plastic at least two by three inches; it shall contain, in addition to the photograph, the name of the person issued to; his address; the name of the employer represented; and a number corresponding to the number on the permit (permit number) issued; and the date of expiration of the permit. In the case of a corporation with several employees, each employee who is to solicit shall obtain a card. The card shall be worn on the outer garments, lapel, belt, or otherwise conspicuously displayed when soliciting.

We will try to get a sample of what they look like but am sure it has the city seal on it somehere and Richard Goldstein's signature as city clerk

they were here and shooed away...should have called the cops...but next time we will...wonder how many sucked in for this terrible ripoffs