Ballwin Aldermen Update Background Checks with More Databases

The Ballwin Police Department may now search more databases when reviewing applications for solicitor and liquor licenses. This issue surfaced after the city found out that criminal history background checks for liquor and solicitor license applications were limited to local agency databases.

Ballwin police have the opportunity to access to more resources for criminal background checks, like the publicly available Case.net online court records, Mayor Tim Pogue said. The Ballwin ordinance just needed to be updated, which was approved Monday night.

Applicants for liquor or solicitor licenses who wish to operate in Ballwin are required to submit a form to the Police department and pass a background check. The issue of licensed solicitors in Ballwin goes back a few years.

In 2010, Ballwin residents complained about unknown people soliciting around the community.

“In Ballwin, we have a lot of older citizens who grew up with the idea that ‘if a doorbell rings, I’ll answer the door,” resident Ray Kerlagon said. “And in today’s world it really is good to know who’s out there.”

In 2012, Ballwin passed an ordinance that requires door to door solicitors to apply for a license, which is in the form of an ID badge. The application process includes a fee and a background check among other criteria. 

Various license applications can be found on the city website.