This morning, a social media post was brought to my attention.  The post indicated a white van with men posing as exterminators were committing car break-ins within Graystone Farms development.  That information is simply not true.

THE FACTS

• Aptive Environmental LLC contacted the Borough Office seeking Transient Retail Marchant licenses (Solicitor permits) for 20 employees.  Their permits allow them to go door-to-door selling a product or service within Hummelstown Borough.  Identification for each employee was obtained, validation checks were conducted and solicitor permits were issued by me.  Aptive Environmental LLC was advised the permits were ready for pick-up at the Borough Office.  
• Yesterday, June 2, 2021, HPD received a call of a solicitor in Graystone without a permit.  The on-duty Officer and I both responded.  We located 2 males, both employees of Aptive Environmental LLC.  I personally explained to both employees that our Transient Retail Merchants License Ordinance requires that they obtain a permit and must have the permit on their person at all times while actively going door-to-door.  They immediately drove to the Borough Office and obtained their printed permits and resumed soliciting activities.

No reports of car break-ins have been reported to the Hummelstown Police Department within the past week.

Our ordinance requires a permit to be obtained before anyone goes door-to-door selling a product or service.  Identification must be provided at the time of application.  A fee must be paid to cover the administrative cost of providing the permit and the necessary checks.  A printed permit is issued to the applicant, with a copy of the local ordinance.  The applicant is instructed to keep the permit on their person at all times while actively soliciting.  This is a safeguard for our residents.  

Anytime a solicitor knocks on your door, you are permitted to ask to view their Borough issued permit.  If their response is "I lost it, it's in the car, it's on file at my office, the Borough has it on file, etc.", this is a direct violation of the ordinance and the Police should be called immediately.  However, if they show you their permit, they are in compliance of the licensing requirement and the choice to talk with them is yours. 

I want each of our residents and visitors to feel safe.  The spreading of misinformation serves no legitimate purpose and often hinders efforts by law enforcement.  Make no mistake, if a potential safety issue exists, you will be advised in a timely manner of the available, accurate information by me through the Hummelstown Borough Police Department Crimewatch website, Hummelstown Borough website and/or the Hummelstown Borough Facebook page.

This is not the first time (and I am sure not the last) that untrue, misleading or misinformation was posted on social media.  

I ask each of our residents to use good judgement when reading social media posts, before drawing a conclusion.

Justin D. Hess

Chief of Police