Town Considering 'Do Not Knock' List for Solicitors
South Brunswick looking to ban door-to-door salesman from knocking on doors passed sunset.
After ongoing complaints from residents about door-to-door solicitors visiting homes at night, the township is moving forward with a ban on solicitation during the evening hours.
At Tuesday's Township Council meeting, an ordinance was discussed that would prohibit vendors and solicitors from knocking on doors passed 7 p.m. or dusk, whichever comes first.
"If your wife is home alone and somebody comes knocking on the door at 9 or 10 o'clock at night, that can be frightening," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "(The new restrictions) would be a good thing for the town."
Councilman Joseph Camarota also put forward an idea for the township to create a "do not knock" registry that would prohibit vendors from visiting any address on the list.
Township attorney Don Sears said there are a number of towns throughout the state that have created a registry for residents who do not wish to have solicitors visit their homes. When a person registers with the township to conduct door-to-door solicitation, they would then be given a list of addresses where they would not be allowed to visit.
Still of issue would be whether the "do not knock" list would apply to door-to-door political campaigning, but either way Camarota said the registry would be a positive for residents.
"I'd still like people to be able to sign up for no solicitors," he said.
Scott Brady
7:50 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
This is great news! We has two men knocking on doors last night in Fresh Impressions.!i immediately called the police and an officer came to my house and spoke to one of the men. They are from Power Home Remodeling Group soliciting business to replace roofs and windows, but at 7:30 PM in the dark? I support the Mayor's plan to stop solicitors and keep our families a d neighborhood safe! Also thank you for the officer who came out last night!
Dan
10:12 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
I've adopted a new tactic with these guys - they always say 'We're doing work in the neighborhood...' So I ask them to give me the address. They always hem and haw, since, of course, they aren't actually doing work in the neighborhood.... Then I close the door in their face. It's part of my New Years resolution to be more crabby.... ;)
Tugwalla
1:23 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
So hard working blue collar guys trying to make a buck, feed their families and pay their taxes will be prohibited but the self centered, tax raising politicians will be exempt!
All hail the supreme town council has spoken!!!...You are commanded to do as they say and not as they do!
Lawrence
3:56 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
It's a good start. I've got a better way of dealing with unwanted visitors. I don't even open the door. I tell them thanks, but no thanks, and I go back to what I was doing before.