SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen took under advisement a request to adopt a fingerprinting bylaw made by Police Chief Mark Krynicki.
Krynicki said the bylaw has been adopted in 14 communities across the commonwealth and is aimed at protecting residents from unwanted peddlers and hawkers.
“What it does is give us a process on how to deal with our vendors,” Krynicki said. ‘Normally we do a simple background check on the computer. This requires fingerprints be taken.”
Krynicki said when national companies come to town to sell items door-to-door, such as magazines and books, the company and individuals must register with police. This past summer, a routine check of two individuals found one was a sex offender and another had been charged with murder.
Krynicki said luckily, the two people had valid identification. Others may use false IDs.
“It’s easy to print fraudulent identifications and give false information, but you can’t change fingerprints,” Krynicki said.
The bylaw passes the cost of fingerprinting on to the vendor. $25 of which would go directly to a fingerprint trust which provides equipment. The Board of Selectmen could set the fee at whatever amount it chooses, Krynicki said, as long as it was a least $25.
Board Chairman Arthur Pinell asked how much work this bylaw would create for the department. Krynicki said it would be minimal because there is not an influx of these companies coming to town.
“I don’t foresee a lot of hawkers and peddlers coming in,” Krynicki sad.
Selectmen Russell Fox said he had concerns because the language of the bylaw included local businesses.
“I know what you’re trying to do but I’d like to do some serious talking about this,” said Fox.
Pinell asked if the bylaw had to be adopted as written.
“Is there anything preventing us from modifying the list of people on this bylaw?” he asked.
Krynicki said he did not believe so and said it was his understanding that the board could modify it before voting to adopt it.
“I just think fingerprints are a much better way to check on these people,” Krynicki said.
