Jul 15, 2002 By Patty Shultz 2 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The city police department is asking vendors and organizations not to sell items or collect donations in roadways. Connellsville police Chief Stephen Cooper said that the warmer temperatures have prompted fund-raising projects by area groups, but many are flirting with danger as their members dart in between vehicles to sell a hoagie or receive a contribution.

“We’ve been very fortunate in that we haven’t had any serious accidents, but there certainly have been a lot of near misses,” said Cooper.

The main route being used by the organizations, said Cooper, is at the intersection of Routes 119 and 201.

“(The group members) stand alongside the road and when the traffic signal turns red, they go out in the middle of the traffic with their hoagies or cups,” said Cooper.

“But many times, drivers aren’t paying attention; the light turns green and they look up and there is a kid right in front of you.

“That 50-cent profit isn’t worth a child or adult being hurt.”

An existing city ordinance does require peddlers to obtain a license to engage in door-to-door selling, but fire companies, school clubs and similar non-profit groups can solicit donations or sell food items with the permission of a business owner. Scouting organizations selling cookies or other items or religious groups sharing information are also exempt from complying with the regulation.

Cooper said a state law incorporated in the vehicle code does allow for those soliciting in roadways to be cited, but the department is hoping groups will cooperate with the its request to stay at the curbsides when selling hoagies or seeking contributions.

“We just want to remind the adults that are in charge of these groups to keep the kids off to the side of the roads,” said Cooper. “If people want to buy what you are selling or make a donation, they’ll pull off the road and do so.”