Ramsey Resident - 2009 - May/June (2)

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Public Safety Peddlers and Solicitors Peddlers and solicitors who wish to do business in RaIllsey are required to obtain a penllit. This includes aIlyone going door to door soliciting or taking orders for goods, wares aIld merchaIldise, or maintenance or repair services, such as furnace cleaIling, roof repair aIld black- topping. This does not include anyone doing so on behalf of a bona fide charitable, religious, civic, educational or political orgaIlization. In addition to a license, each peddler/solicitor is issued all identification badge provided by the city. The badge includes the solicitor's naIlle, business naIlle, photo, aIld expiration date. All persons authorized to conduct door to door solicitation must be wearing this identification badge. The hours for this activity are restricted to 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., unless a previous appointment has been sched- uled. Any resident of the City who wishes to exclude ped- dlers or solicitors from their premises may place on or near their main entrance a printed placard or sign that says the following: "Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited". (The sign must be at least 3-1/2 inches long aIld 3-1/2 inches wide and the printing must not be smaller than 49 point type.) Peddlers and solicitors are then prohibited from entering in or upon the premises. To repOli a peddler or solicitor that is not comply- ing with the city's requirements, please contact a RaIllsey Police Officer immediately (24 hours a day), via dispatch at 763-427-1212. Outdoor Warning Sirens Warning sirens are the most effective method of warn- ing the population at large about daIlgerous conditions. However, one common misconception about warning sirens is that they will aleli people who are indoors to daIl- gerous conditions outdoors. While some people may live close enough to hear the sirens indoors, this is not the in- tended purpose of the sirens. Sirens are designed to advise people who are outside that a hazardous condition exists or is approaching. A battery operated radio or TV is the best way to stay advised of possible daIlgerous conditions when indoors. For more information on the city of RaIllsey's warning sirens, please contact the Ramsey Police Depmi- ment at 763-427-6812. Safety Tips Garage aIld yard sales are a fun way to meet people and get rid of items you no longer need. Observing the following rules will ensure you have a safe and successful sale: City Ordinance restricts the number of sales at a resi- dence to two (2) sales per year, with each sale lasting no longer thaIl five (5) days. Always obtain permission from the owner prior to posting signs on another's propeliy. Vehicles parking at sales must be legally parked. Park within 12 inches of the curb and in the direction of lawful traffic (right haIld side of roadway), including cul-de-sacs. Parking is NOT allowed in the right-of- way. Have everything you WaIlt to sell outside and ready to be seen. Never allow anyone into your home to try on clothes or view items for sale. Anyone could be "cas- ing" the home for a possible burglary--now or in the future. Prescription drugs from medicine cabinets are often taken when someone is allowed to try on cloth- ing in a bathroom. Set up tables so you can see evelY one of them from where you sit. If you hang clothes up for sale, do it on one side of the sale aIld use them as all outside pe- rimeter. Don't allow them to block your view to your house or other items for sale. Keep a very limited amount of money on you! Only keep enough money accessible at any given time to make chaIlge for a $20. Do not accept large bills, such as a $100. Let custom- ers know that vou will hold an item for them while they go to get chaIlge. Don't pull out your cash aIld check for money in front of them. If you plaIl to accept checks at your sale, contact the RaIllsey Police DepaIiment prior to your sale for a copy of the guidelines for accepting checks. This will ensure that, in the event that you receive a bad check aIld are unable to get payment, you will be able to sub- mit the check for prosecution. The police depaIiment is not a collection agency: however, upon successful prosecution, restitution is often awarded to the victim of the dishonored check. If you have any questions regarding these garage sale tips, please contact the RaIllsey Police DepaIiment at 763- 427-6812. www.ci.ramsey.mn.us 3