Security company ordered to stop going door to door after complaints

(May 29, 2009)

LYNN - Police ordered Pinnacle Security to halt its door to door alarm system sales campaign after receiving complaints Tuesday and Wednesday about overly aggressive salespeople.

"We issued a cease and desist order to the sales staff until such time that they have complied with licensing requirements," said Police Lt. William Sharpe.

Sharpe said Pinnacle representatives failed to obtain local peddling permits before hawking their wares in local neighborhoods. He said residents visited by Pinnacle representatives called police Tuesday to complain about "aggressive sales tactics used by the salespersons."

One of the complaints involved a salesperson pushing past a homeowner answering the door.

"Residents have every right to be secure in their home and are advised to call the police if they feel threatened or uncomfortable," Sharpe said, adding residents should check the identification and company contact information for all salespeople before they agree to any contract obligations.

Wayne Alarm President Ralph Sevinor said Wayne customers called the company this week claiming salespeople were impersonating Wayne employees. He said the salespeople are college students from Provo, Utah hired to solicit during the summer months. "One customer called upset at us; it turned out it wasn't us," Sevinor said.

Pinnacle representative Erick Rodriguez referred questions from The Item to Pinnacle's Orem, Utah headquarters.