Crime & Safety
Montgomery Police Taking Action Against Solicitors at Route 34 Intersection
Oswego Police are not enforcing a similar crackdown, but said they will respond to the area if residents report a complaint.
We've all likely seen the solicitors that gather at the intersection of Routes 30 and 34, standing on the medians and collecting donations.
Patch has received multiple emails in the past months, complaining about the individuals and wondering what law enforcement can do.
Well, the Montgomery Police are beginning to crack down on the solicitors standing on the Route 30/34 intersection at Hill Avenue.
According to both Montgomery Police Chief Daniel Meyers and Oswego Police Captain Jeff Burgner, the solicitors are from a church in Chicago.
Chief Meyers told the Beacon News that the individuals on the corner do not have the proper permits, but that has not stopped them.
The Oswego Police Department front desk said that some of the solicitors on the 34/30 Ron Westphal intersection have permits, and some do not.
If the solicitors are obstructing traffic or harassing individuals, and a resident has a concern, they can call the non-emergency Oswego Police Department number, 630-551-7300.
Montgomery Police have stepped up patrols, and Patch readers have spotted officers standing on the corners in the evening hours, but Meyers called the solicitors "sneaky" and said they did not appear to have any set schedule, according to the Beacon.
Meyers, along with Montgomery president Matthew Brolley and State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora) have all fielded complaints from residents - both sick of being asked for donations and worried about the dangers of the the solicitors darting in and out traffic.
All have said that if residents spot the solicitors on the Hill Avenue Routes 30/34 intersection (not the Ron Westphal Routes 30/34 intersection), they are asked to call the non-emergency Montgomery Police number of 630-897-8707.
Meyers told the Beacon that the solicitors get one warning before they are arrested for breaking both local and state laws.
“The warnings are all out there now, and anyone who comes back will be arrested,” he said. “We think we do have the problem solved, but they could show up again tomorrow.”
Have you had problems with these solicitors? Do you give money to them or any other collection group?
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