As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CANVASSER or SOLICITOR
Includes itinerant vendors of merchandise who shall go from
door to door in this Borough selling, causing to be sold, offering
for sale or taking orders for present or future delivery of merchandise
of any description whatever. A canvasser or solicitor shall also be
deemed to be one who is not in the business of selling goods but one
who makes surveys for research purposes, analysis, opinion polls,
rating data and any such similar work which by its nature involves
a door-to-door or place-to-place activity, and shall include persons
going from door to door or place to place for the purpose of contributions,
donations or alms for any person or organization.
MERCHANDISE
Includes magazines, periodicals, books and orders or contracts
for a service, home improvements or alterations.
The purpose of this article is to prevent fraud, crime and unethical
and dishonest business practices and for the general protection, health
and welfare of the residents of the Borough of Bellmawr.
No person except as provided herein shall canvass, solicit,
distribute circulars or other matter or call from door to door or
place to place in the Borough of Bellmawr without first registering
with the Chief of Police or, in his absence, the officer in charge
of the Police Department.
Each registrant shall, at the time of registering, file with
the Chief of Police an application in writing which shall give the
following information:
A. Name, age and physical description of the applicant.
B. Complete permanent home and local address of the applicant.
C. Name and address of the organization or person for whom solicitation
is being made.
D. Description of the nature of the business and the goods, services
or wares to be sold and sufficient information to determine whether
or not the business he is to transact is interstate or intrastate
commerce.
E. Two photographs of the applicant which shall be approximately 2 1/2
inches by 2 1/2 inches in size, showing the head and shoulders
of the applicant in a clear and distinguishing manner.
F. The days, dates and route of his business in the Borough of Bellmawr
(which shall be between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.).
G. A statement as to whether or not the applicant has been convicted
of a crime, misdemeanor or disorderly conduct offense, where and when
so convicted, the nature of the offense and the penalty, if any.
H. The make, model, year, color and license plate number of automobiles
used by the applicant during the period of solicitation within the
Borough and the number of his driver's license and the state
of issuance.
A separate registration must be made for every solicitor, agent
or employee soliciting within the Borough limits.
Each registrant, upon being so registered, shall be issued a
registration certificate by the Chief of Police, upon which shall
be affixed one photograph of the applicant signed by the Chief of
Police so that part of his signature covers part of the photograph.
Each registrant shall carry the registration certificate at
all times when in the Borough and shall exhibit it to any citizen
or police officer upon request.
Every person to whom a registration certificate is issued under
the terms of this article shall be governed by the following rules
and regulations:
A. All circulars, samples or other matter shall be handed to an occupant
of the property or left in a secure place on the premises.
B. No person subject to the provisions of this article shall canvass,
solicit or distribute circulars or other matter except during the
hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
C. No person subject to the terms of this article shall enter or attempt
to enter the house or apartment of any resident in the Borough of
Bellmawr without an express invitation from the occupant of the house
or apartment.
D. No person subject to the terms of this article shall conduct himself
in such a manner as to become objectionable to or annoy any person
while soliciting within the Borough limits.
E. No person subject to this article shall make any solicitation within
the Borough limits where solicitors are notified by sign that soliciting
is prohibited.
Any person violating the terms of this article, whether as an
individual, principal or agent or employee of another, shall, upon
conviction in the Municipal Court of the Borough of Bellmawr, be subject
to a fine not to exceed $2,000 or imprisonment in the county jail
for a term not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service
not exceeding 90 days, or any combination thereof, in the discretion
of the Municipal Court.