Long Beach Considers ‘Do Not Knock’ Registry For Door-To-Door Solicitors

[Musky]

(notice the comment at the bottom)

Long Beach Considers ‘Do Not Knock’ Registry For Door-To-Door Solicitors

May 15, 2012 12:17 PM

LONG BEACH (CBS) — A “Do Not Knock” registry is being considered by the Long Beach City Council to keep peddlers from soliciting or leaving handbills at individual homes.

The proposal would revise current law to allow residents to display a no-trespassing or no-solicitation sign to prohibit both commercial and noncommercial solicitation and placement of the handbills, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

The proposal would also require solicitors to display their licenses and permit identifications while working and require handbills and other materials to contain the distributing party’s contact information.

Long Beach City Councilwoman Gerrie Shipske co-authored the proposal, to help protect homeowners from annoying salespeople and potential thieves, KNX 1070′s Ed Mertz reports.

“We are getting some people posing as solicitors and they are casing out the properties,” Shipske said.

Similar laws in other cities cite violators for an infraction or fine, or a misdemeanor and a fine.

Some residents are skeptical in regards to the proposed ordinance. They fear it could damper the sense of community.

“The Girl Scout cookies, neighborhood kids,” a resident named Rene told CBS2/KCAL9′s Randy Paige. “Would it apply to them?”

The First Amendment permits religious, political, nonprofit, government and other groups to solicit if a residence doesn’t have such a sign posted.

Comments:

The Jehovah Witnesses are not going to like this!

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/05/15/long-beach-considers-do-not-knock-registry-for-door-to-door-solicitors/

[lavritt]

Is this similar to the case in Ohio a few years back? I don't remember all the specifics, but I know that the law was struck down by the courts.

[Musky]

Is this similar to the case in Ohio a few years back? I don't remember all the specifics, but I know that the law was struck down by the courts.

We were just talking about that. I think that law was in place for peddlers and other "solicitors" but when they tried to apply it to Witnesses and the preaching work, they bought all kinds of grief! You do not want to be at odds with our legal department! Or Jehovah for that matter!

[Hallett 82]

You know . . even if they make such a law stick to us . . it just shrinks our territory . . less walking . .more talks with people predisposed to listen . .and that law would be a conversation starter for sure. USA is big on freedom of speech (as is Australia) so we don't need to be fearful of things like this . . we know they will foment trouble and it will happen so trust in Jehovah will become our main tool of trade.

Bring it on! . . . < < Love this little dude

[campanula]

You know . . even if they make such a law stick to us . . it just shrinks our territory . . less walking . .more talks with people predisposed to listen . .and that law would be a conversation starter for sure. USA is big on freedom of speech (as is Australia) so we don't need to be fearful of things like this . . we know they will foment trouble and it will happen so trust in Jehovah will become our main tool of trade.

Bring it on! . . . < < Love this little dude

Yep, now there are some more interesting comments down that article