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Residents told to check solicitor permits as village outlines permit, licensing and enforcement steps after storm
Summary
Following public reports of 'storm‑chaser' contractor fraud, Cary officials outlined the village’s solicitor permit process, contractor licensing expectations and enforcement steps and urged residents to contact police for violations; one resident told trustees he had reported dozens of suspected scams to multiple agencies.
A resident’s complaint about contractor fraud after the storm prompted Cary officials on Aug. 19 to explain solicitor permits, contractor licensing and how the village will enforce violations.
Resident Randall Koehler told the board he has been inundated with complaints from neighbors about so‑called storm chasers who approach homeowners after weather damage and sometimes seek signatures to contracts that can cause later problems. "Many of [the victims] are senior citizens... they're sitting there signing contracts that aren't gonna get them in a lot of trouble down the line," Koehler said during public comment.
Mayor Mark Kownick said the village had connected Koehler with the state’s attorney by phone and that the state's attorney informed the village he did not have a case; the resident disputed that characterization during the meeting and said he had provided documents to multiple officials.
Chief Pat Finland described the village’s solicitor permit process and enforcement tools for residents concerned about door‑to‑door vendors. Solicitor applicants must submit to fingerprinting and a criminal background check, provide a photo and identify the entity they represent; solicitor permits are generally issued for 30 days and must be renewed. The police department can revoke permits that violate the village’s solicitor ordinance, Chief Finland said, and residents can obtain no‑solicitor decals free from the police department.
Community Development and building staff also reminded residents that many storm repairs — notably roof and siding work — require building permits and licensed contractors; over‑the‑counter permits for roofs and siding can be applied for online, staff said. Village licensing for certain trades requires documentation (insurance, surety) and staff can refuse a license if a contractor has a history of problems in the village.
Trustees encouraged residents to call the police if a solicitor ignores a posted no‑solicitor sign and to get contractor referrals from insurers. The board noted that solicitors with a valid permit still may not be qualified to perform construction work; homeowners should hire licensed contractors for repair work and verify permits and licenses before work begins.
Ending — how residents can protect themselves: The village recommends that residents (1) contact their insurance company first to start a claim, (2) ask their insurer for approved contractor referrals, (3) check for a village solicitor permit or a no‑solicitor sign, and (4) call the police to report suspected fraud or ordinance violations. The police department is handling solicitor permit applications and has received more than 40 permit submissions since the storm, staff said.
