Diamond mayor issues solicitor update

A thorough review of the Monday, September 2, 2019 incident involving two male/black youths claiming to be Coal City High School Students soliciting for scholarship fundraising with Principal Spencer’s permission has revealed the following:

Their image was captured on a Diamond residents RING doorbell. Coal City High School Principal Chris Spencer reviewed the doorbell video and confirmed that the two youths ARE NOT Coal City High School students. Principal Spencer further advised that the Coal City School District recommends students DO NOT go door-to-door when fundraising. A Diamond resident purchased one of the $20 Scholarship Fundraising Program Discount Coupon Cards the youths were selling. The card is in fact valid and she successfully used it at McDonald’s and received a free Quarter Pounder. Efforts to follow-up with First Option Marketing & Advertising LLC have been unsuccessful.

The Village of Diamond checks every person who applies for a Solicitors Permit in an effort to keep our residents safe. We also provide them with a printed solicitors registration permit which they are instructed to carry with them at all times while soliciting in Diamond. 

In closing, the Village of Diamond recommends  that if a solicitor comes to your door you request to see their “Village of Diamond Solicitors Registration Permit” which has the Village of Diamond Logo on it.  If they are unable to produce one, we strongly recommend that you close and lock your door and immediately notify the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU EVER LET A SOLICITOR INTO YOUR HOME. 

When reporting a solicitor violation to the Grundy County Sheriff, please give a thorough description of the subjects including clothing description, identifying marks, and vehicle description, along with last know direction of travel, to aid them in locating the correct subjects. You might also want to consider the RING Doorbell as a deterrent, as well as posting a NO SOLICITING sign.

Sincerely,

Mayor Kernc

Village of Diamond