Upland police outline education-first enforcement, misdemeanor penalty for repeat solicitors

Sergeant O'Brien of the Upland Police Department told the committee that the department’s primary objective is voluntary compliance when responding to suspected solicitor violations. "Our ultimate goal is to have voluntary compliance," he said, describing a tiered approach that starts with education, escalates to citations and administrative notices for companies, and reserves arrest as a proportional, last resort.

O'Brien said a misdemeanor citation would send the individual to criminal court—typically about two months after citation—and that code enforcement would send an administrative notice to the company involved. He emphasized that arrests would only occur in the most extreme circumstances, noting the department’s interest in proportionate responses and liability concerns when someone is taken into custody.

Committee members pressed on who would respond to solicitor calls; O'Brien said police will be the first responder to calls for service and will verify badges and compliance when dispatched, while code enforcement can handle leaflet removal and administrative follow-up. Staff and committee members discussed the need to balance enforcement tools with clear public education about the registry and badge requirements.

Why it matters: The department’s approach shapes how the city will handle complaints about door‑to‑door solicitors and influences residents’ expectations about enforcement, response times and outcomes.