CPD nabs door-to-door salespeople for permit violations

All three salespeople were residents of other states.

By Jimmy Hibsch

Published June 2, 2010

Columbia Police arrested three door-to-door salespeople on May 25 for selling magazine subscriptions without permits.

Following a call from a citizen who complained of three people going door-to-door selling magazine subscriptions, officers arrested Natoshia Blaine, 29, of South Carolina, Johnny Boatwright, 23, of Georgia and Carl Smith, 31, of Michigan, all on suspicion of soliciting within the city limits without a license, according to a press release issued by the department.

CPD Sgt. Dan Beckman said such charges are common in Columbia and it costs the city money.

"The victim in a crime like this is the city," Beckman said. "When someone sells something without getting a permit to do so, the city doesn't get the money for the permit."

The release said a member of the group told a witness they were a part of KLMN Readers Service Inc., a Chesapeake, Va.-based magazine subscription agency. Several consumer reports on the Internet accuse the company of committing fraud across the country. Sandy Jimenez, a spokesman for Magazine Publishers of America said the industry has trouble controlling the practice.

"We do hear about this kind of stuff from time to time," he said. "It's sort of a difficult thing to corral because it's people basically buying magazines in bulk and then reselling them." The release said the three were going door to door in the North Cedar Lake Drive West and also on Nikki Way. CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said the problem is bigger than most people realize.

"People call us about these kind of things, but for everyone who does, there are plenty who don't," she said. "We want residents to realize they are not wasting our time. If it is a nuisance for them in their neighborhoods or if they're made to feel uncomfortable, they should call us."

The release said residents could contact CPD if they suspect any fraudulent activity.