Two Charged with Violation of Simsbury Town Ordinance

Two individuals were arrested last week and charged with violating a town ordinance that requires a permit for making door-to-door sales.

Ronnesha Turner, 28, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kevin Jerome Johnson, Jr., 26, of Detroit, Michigan, were arrested by Simsbury Police on September 6 on Whynwood Road where they were selling magazine subscriptions for Urban Nation.

The two were charged with violating the town's peddlers/hawkers ordinance, according to Captain Nicholas Boulter, a spokesperson for the Simsbury Police Department.

"It's very common this time of year," Boulter said. "Every year we get a group of young adults that come to sell subscriptions."

Police were responding to complaints from residents about solicitors in the neighborhood when they discovered the individuals did not obtain a permit.

"There's no reason to believe that they weren't representing a company," Boulter said.

Police investigating the incident do not have reason to suspect any criminal activity, only a violation that carries a $90 fine.

Police also received a complaint about a similar, unrelated incident on September 5.

"We can't charge anyone unless they've solicited or have attempted to solicit," Boulter said.

A warning was issued to an individual from New York who was attempting similar door-to-door sales in the community.

Boulter said residents should be cautious of anyone soliciting sales and that the salesperson should have visible identification and a valid permit from the town of Simsbury.

Questions or concerns about this type of sales activity should be directed to the Simsbury Police Department at 658-3100.