LAYTON — Layton Police are reminding residents that they have no obligation to do business with a door-to-door salesman.

Layton City Police Lt. Garret Atkin said that following the arrest of door-to-door salesman David Allen Smith  on charges he allegedly raped a woman, police have seen  a lot of interest regarding requirements for door-to-door sales, as well as how residents can keep from becoming victims of crime and scams at the hands of unscrupulous solicitors.

The state of Utah has ordinances in place to regulate door-to-door sales and to protect residents. Davis County cities have each enacted their own ordinances, which, like Layton, often require that a person engaged in door-to-door sales be licensed by the city.

 As part of the licensing  process, a door-to-door salesperson must undergo a criminal background check and, in Layton, be issued a special photo ID card by the city which must be worn anytime they are selling product, Atkin said.

“If a door-to-door salesperson is found operating without a proper license, he or he may be charged with a class B misdemeanor,” Atkin said.

Cities usually make exceptions for those working for non-profit charitable organizations; political and civic canvassing representatives and members of religious groups.

Residents of any city in Davis County who do not want contact by door-to-door sales people are encouraged to post, “no solicitors” or “no trespassing” signs on their property. In Layton, that means a salesperson is in violation of city ordinance if they attempt to make contact where such a sign is posted, Atkin said.

City ordinances in Bountiful, Woods Cross and other cities in Davis County have similar wording, requiring solicitors to check each residence for the presence of such signs and refraining from soliciting where such signs are present. 

For more information check out the Sept. 13 edition of Davis Clipper.