HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — People living just south of Holland’s downtown area, or those on social media, may have heard stories in recent days about a middle-aged man knocking on doors or asking people in their yards or parking lots for money.
Holland Police are familiar with this man, whose name WHTC is not using, because he has not been arraigned on any charges related to these incidents.
Holland Police Captain Robert Buursma tells WHTC police have received multiple reports over the last month about this man.
He’s described as a 40-year-old white male, 5-foot-10; 160 pounds; with short brown hair and some facial hair.
Some reports indicate he’s knocked on doors of people’s homes, in a couple cases inside an enclosed porch.
“The suspect has in the past approached people in parking lots, walking down the street, in their yard or knocks on residents door to their home,” Buursma wrote in an email to WHTC. “Some of the reports of him knocking on doors have been late at night or very early in the morning. The suspect often will give a fictitious reason for needing money. Generally, he is not even verbally aggressive, some of the reports he was somewhat polite.”
In cases where he entered an enclosed porch, Buursma said, the man has left quietly when told to do so.
In any case where the man has violated the City of Holland’s anti-begging ordinance, police can ask for charges if the victim wishes to pursue that.
The man lives on West 21st Street, and most of the complaints are from areas within walking distance of his home, Buursma said.
Holland’s ordinance against begging notes “no person shall beg or solicit for the immediate payment of money or goods from another person, whether or not in exchange for goods, services, or other consideration, under any of the following circumstances:
“On private property, unless the solicitor has permission from the owner or occupant thereof;
- In any public transportation vehicle or public transportation facility
- In any public parking structure and within 12 feet of any entrance or exit to any public parking structure;
- In any public alley and within 12 feet of any entrance or exit to any public alley;
- From a person who is in any vehicle on the street;
- In any manner which obstructs the free passage of pedestrian or vehicle traffic;
- Within 12 feet of a bank or automated teller machine;
- By moving to within two feet of the person solicited, unless that person has indicated that he/she wishes to be solicited;
- By following and continuing to solicit a person who walks away from the solicitor;
- By knowingly making a false or misleading representation in the course of a solicitation;
- In a manner that appears likely to cause a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities to feel intimidated, threatened or harassed;
- Within 12 feet of the entrance to or exit from any public building; or
- From a person who is a patron at any outdoor cafe or restaurant.”
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