If you trust me, even though at this point I can provide few sources and little background information, don't talk to any magazine salesman who come to your door without a permit this week or next.

Don't change your mind if they get a little aggressive, don't give them your name or personal information, and don't be afraid to call the cops.
If you want a magazine, make sure the salesman has a permit from the city.

If the salesman doesn't have a permit, call police.

I'll be working on a story about this over the next few days.

Here is something I wrote last year, though, and from what I heard tonight, the salesman are back.

Thursday, June 26, 2008
Robert Mills
rmills@lowellsun.com
LOWELL -- A young man said he was in the neighborhood selling magazines, but he had no permit to do so, and a neighbor called police after spotting the man lurking on the porch of a Belvidere house where no one was home.
Officers soon found the man, Keylon Andrews, 22, of Indianapolis on Rae Street about 7:10 p.m. Using expletives, he told officers he didn't need a permit to sell magazines, police said.
Officers corrected him on that point, and when they informed Andrews that he was under arrest, Andrews punched two officers in the head and continued to fight after he was pepper sprayed, police said.
He was eventually handcuffed and brought back to the station, but the incident has police reminding residents that anyone selling magazines or anything door to door should have identification and a permit.
"They have to be permitted, and they should display it upon demand," said Lt. Mark Buckley. "If they don't, call police."
Police did not release the address where the man was initially spotted lurking on the porch because it is the home of a police officer who was not home at the time.
Police said Andrews also was allegedly spotted going into the yards of two other homes despite the claim he was selling magazines. He is charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, violation of bylaws or ordinances, peddling or hawking without a license, and giving a false name to police.
A bail commissioner had not yet set bail for him last night.

I'm already researching the arrest of Shawn Woodard, 26, of Chicago, who was booked early Saturday morning for disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, causing a false fire alarm, and giving a false name or address to police.