Boise, Jan. 7, 2008 - Boise Police and Boise Fire Officials want to
alert citizens that if they wish to donate to local public safety
associations, they should make sure a telephone solicitor is clear as to who
they represent and what association will benefit.
Several local public safety associations do collect donations via
telephone solicitations, and some may be doing so now. However, several
callers to Boise City offices recently report being contacted by telephone
solicitors who did not mention local police or fire agencies, and in fact,
the citizens became concerned when the callers gave the citizens confusing,
vague information.
It's important for citizens to know that legitimate, local public safety
associations, including the Boise Police Association and the Ada County
Sheriff Employees Association (two private employee associations), do
collect donations from generous citizens for association programs, including
the ACSEA's s annual Celebrity Basketball Game, and the BPA's annual Shop
with a Cop program for underprivileged kids. Other Treasure Valley area or
Idaho state public safety associations also solicit via telephone for
donations.
Local association officials say they hire local companies to solicit the
donations. Most importantly, the local solicitors are always very specific
letting citizens know they're calling on behalf of a Boise-area public
safety group, and they're specific as to what local programs will benefit
from citizen donations.
For citizens contacted by a telephone solicitor, the solicitor should:
* Clearly state who they're soliciting for.
* Be clear as to the programs that will benefit by the citizens
donation.
* Politely answer questions.
If citizens have any questions regarding a telephone solicitation, they
can contact the group or organization running the campaign, or the Boise
area Better Business Bureau.
