|
|
Post by Morris on Sept 7, 2007 17:50:32 GMT -5
Hello~
Curious to know if Freehold Borough has rules/laws regarding "door-to-door salesman". Yesterday there was a man who did not give his or his company name, carried a clipboard and was going door-to-door asking if homeowners were interested in FHA loans. There are often Jehovah's Witness who go door-to-door, as well.
Does Freehold Borough ask or require that these salesman (and/or relgious groups) come to the Borough Hall and get permission to knock on the residents doors?
I did a search on this forum and read a bit about the "No Knock" ordinance. I found a link about the law having a public hearing March 5 - what ever came of that?
Thank you for your help~
Lauren
|
|
|
|
Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Sept 7, 2007 20:44:25 GMT -5
Commercial door to door requires a permit. I believe the permit must be clearly visible and warn. The solicitor should have the "No Knock" list. Charitable non-for-profit door-to-door is another story. Permission through municipal advisement, but no formal "Permit" required! Halloween Trick or treating has not been regulated yet!..  I call FBPD any time a solicitor is at my door! My door front is not a storefront nor a pulpit, but thats cranky old me...  |
|
|
|
Post by Morris on Sept 8, 2007 7:09:12 GMT -5
Halloween Trick or treating has not been regulated yet!.. Ha! Very funny! ;D Thank you for the info. The man the other day was clearly not wearing any type of permit and, as I mentioned, didn't even bother to introduce himself or the company he was representing. THanks again! Lauren |
|
|
|
Post by cheryl on Sept 8, 2007 9:41:35 GMT -5
Halloween Trick or treating has not been regulated yet!.. Ha! Very funny! ;D Thank you for the info. The man the other day was clearly not wearing any type of permit and, as I mentioned, didn't even bother to introduce himself or the company he was representing. THanks again! Lauren They were door-knocking on Manalapan Avenue on Thursday, offering "FHA loans for home improvements in historic districts." Clearly, they were either confused  or engaged in door-to-door standup comedy.  |
|
|
|
Post by Morris on Sept 8, 2007 10:02:37 GMT -5
They were door-knocking on Manalapan Avenue on Thursday, offering "FHA loans for home improvements in historic districts." Clearly, they were either confused or engaged in door-to-door standup comedy. Cheryl~ Did you happen to notice if they had a permit? Did he even bother to tell you his name or who he was working for? I thought it so peculiar he didn't bother to mention it. Couldn't even give me a business card. Lauren |
|
|
|
Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Sept 8, 2007 10:03:25 GMT -5
I have to a admit to being cynical, I always have a concern about a door-to-door "person" may be casing my home, or homes were no one answers (such'a city mouse).
Also, with three little kids, I hate strangers a my door, to many evil freaks on the prowl .
So, my rule of thumb, if your not comfortable with who's at your door, call FBPD and alert them ASAP!
Ounce of prevention.
Door to door loans and know ID... Call FBPD ASAP!!!
Wait till they come to my door, maybe mr. Smith and Mr Wesson need to answer the door.
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 10:21:37 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2006/1101/Front_page/057.htmlPublic hearing scheduled on solicitation ordinance Political candidates would be required to obtain 'no knock' list BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer FREEHOLD - People who plan to go door to door for any purpose in the borough may be required to know which doors they are not permitted to knock on. The Borough Council is expected to conduct a public hearing at its meeting on Nov. 6 on an ordinance that will, if adopted, require everyone who wants to go door to door for any purpose to obtain a copy of the town's "no knock" list before embarking on their work. The "no knock" list will be developed by the borough if the amendment to the solicitor and canvasser ordinance, which was introduced on Oct. 2, is adopted. The local "no knock" list would be similar to the federal "no call" list people may sign up for to prevent unwanted telephone solicitation. Officials believe this ordinance will provide some measure of comfort by implementing a do not disturb policy for residents who do not wish to be bothered by anyone. In the month since its introduction, the section of the ordinance that addresses political canvassing has drawn some attention. As written, the ordinance would require any political candidate or representative to obtain the "no knock" list, pay a $10 administrative fee and obtain a permit from the borough before going door to door. A previous story in the News Transcript prompted a letter to the editor from Tinton Falls Councilman Michael Skudera, who said he believes the ordinance would violate an individual's constitutional right to free speech. "Free speech is a right, not a privilege in this great country," Skudera wrote. "Passing a law that requires people to inform their government in advance that they plan on sharing religious or political views with other residents is a threat to democracy. You should not have to ask permission to exercise your first amendment rights." When asked why a permit is necessary for political or charitable canvassers, Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins said, "It was really just a safety concern. Maybe the term is register rather than permit. But we want to know who is out there canvassing, so that if a resident calls and says so and so just knocked at my door, we can verify that they are who they say they are and that we have their information. And, if the police see someone going door-to-door, they can easily call the clerk and find out who registered to canvas." The ordinance defines a commercial solicitor, canvasser, peddler or hawker as one "traveling by foot, automobile or any other type of conveyance from place to place, to distribute circulars for business or commercial purposes." Other approaches include selling real property, taking orders for the sale of goods or personal property or for services. Any person talking a poll or a survey from house to house or on the streets, or distributing advertisements or handbills is also included and must obtain the "no knock" list. The section that addresses charitable and political canvassers defines them as "anyone going from house to house to interview, interact, or inform another person or persons in an attempt to convince him or her to embrace or support or vote for a proposition, person, candidate, philosophy, idea, concept or organization." The ordinance calls for anyone who wants to solicit for a commercial purpose to apply for a commercial solicitor's license at a cost of $100. Politicians and representatives of charitable organizations need not apply for a license, but would have to pay a $10 administrative fee, according to the ordinance. In addition to the license for solicitors or the permit for political and charitable canvassers, anyone knocking on doors for those purposes will also need a photo identification badge. The soliciting or canvassing can only take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Freehold Township officials adopted a similar solicitation ordinance but they handled the section that dealt with political canvassing a bit differently. According to Township Administrator Tom Antus, there were some concerns about political canvassing which were discussed at length by Township Committee members. "We realized that we could not restrict everyone from knocking on doors," Antus said, citing fire department members, first aid squad members and the delivery of goods to a home as just a few examples. The Freehold Township ordinance does not require that politicians obtain a permit to go door-to-door, informing the public about their ideas and goals. Politicians are, however, required to obtain a copy of the township's "no knock" list which provides all the addresses of those people who do not wish to have solicitors and canvassers knocking on their doors. "We are not prohibiting politicians from going door-to-door," Antus said. "I believe it is an inherent right of political candidates to go door-to-door, but I also feel that it is equally important to respect the wishes of individual homeowners who do not want the candidates knocking on their doors." Antus said that in addition to the "no knock" list provided to politicians and solicitors by the township clerk, a small sticker is also provided for a resident to affix to his front door, reinforcing that he does not welcome solicitors or canvassers. Both towns call for the municipal clerk to prepare a list of addresses of those premises where the owner and/or occupant has notified the clerk that canvassing and soliciting are not permitted. The clerks must provide the non-solicitation list to all applicants who are seeking a license or a permit for commercial, charitable, political or philanthropic solicitation.
|
|
|
|
Post by cheryl on Sept 8, 2007 10:22:54 GMT -5
They were door-knocking on Manalapan Avenue on Thursday, offering "FHA loans for home improvements in historic districts." Clearly, they were either confused or engaged in door-to-door standup comedy. Cheryl~ Did you happen to notice if they had a permit? Did he even bother to tell you his name or who he was working for? I thought it so peculiar he didn't bother to mention it. Couldn't even give me a business card. Lauren According to my husband (who actually spoke with them... I only overheard part of the shpiel from inside the house) they did not display any permit or ID, nor did they identify what company or agency they represent. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 10:23:19 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2006/1018/Front_page/020.htmlResidents may have chance to deny home solicitation BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer Freehold Borough FREEHOLD - Most people are aware of a "no call" list implemented by the federal government to help people avoid unwanted telephone solicitations. Now there is a proposal for a "no knock" list in Freehold Borough. An amendment to the borough's solicitor and canvasser ordinance was unanimously introduced at the Borough Council's Oct. 2 meeting to bring it into compliance with a recent court ruling involving a similar law in another municipality. It further provides for a non-solicitation list by which no soliciting or canvassing may take place at any home that is on the list. A public hearing for the ordinance and a vote on its adoption is scheduled for the council's Nov. 6 meeting. Councilman Marc Le Vine said he started thinking about a "no knock" list after a resident told the council that people in her neighborhood were being bothered by solicitors. Sheryl Mott, of First Street, had informed the council that her neighbors were being harassed by people who were trying to buy their homes for cash. Le Vine said, "I realized the whole issue of solicitation could be addressed by bringing in an ordinance that other municipalities had already passed. This is another tool against slumlord blockbusters in our neighborhoods. "Our no-knock ordinance nicely complements the government's no-call list, which bars telemarketers from annoying people during their family time. We have no problem with people coming into our town and knocking on our doors as long as residents want that. "Those that do not can now place themselves on a list and solicitors will pass them by. Often, we don't know who many of these people really are or what they're selling or, in the case of slumlord blockbusters, sometimes even pressuring to buy. Some people worry about what their intentions are," Le Vine explained. A commercial solicitor, canvasser, peddler or hawker is defined in the ordinance as one "traveling by foot, automobile or any other type of conveyance from place to place, house to house, or street to street, to distribute circulars for business or commercial purposes." Other approaches include selling real property, taking orders for the sale of goods or personal property, or for services. Any person taking a poll or a survey from house to house or on the streets, or distributing advertisements or handbills is also included. A section also addresses charitable and political canvassing. "Anyone going from house to house to interview, interact or inform another person or persons in an attempt to convince him or her to embrace or support or vote for a proposition, person, candidate, philosophy, idea, concept or organization" is also included in the ordinance. The amendment will require anyone who wants to canvass or solicit in the borough to first obtain a license, unless they have already obtained a charitable solicitor or canvasser's permit. Persons engaged in political, charitable or philanthropic canvassing will need to first obtain a permit. Every applicant for a license must pay $100 to the Borough Clerk. Those who are applying for permits will not be required to pay the $100 license fee, but will need to pay a one-time processing fee of $10 for administrative costs. In addition to obtaining a license or a permit, every applicant will be required to wear a photo identification badge which will identify the person as a licensed commercial solicitor. All canvassing or soliciting must take place between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The Borough Clerk will prepare a list of addresses of those premises where the owner and/or occupant has notified the clerk that canvassing and soliciting is not permitted on the premises. The clerk must provide the non-solicitation list to all applicants who are seeking a license or permit for commercial, charitable, political or philanthropic solicitation. Anyone found to be violating the law will have his license or permit revoked and if convicted, will be subject to a penalty not to exceed $1,250 or imprisonment for 90 days.
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 10:27:20 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0228/Front_page/049.html'No knock' law to have public hearing March 5 BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer FREEHOLD - The Borough Council is ready to act on an ordinance that has been designed to allow residents not to be disturbed by solicitors who are going door to door. The ordinance will have a public hearing and possible vote for adoption at the council's March 5 meeting. Residents will be permitted to place their name on a municipal no-knock list, and people who apply to solicit in town will be given that list before heading out onto Freehold's streets. The list will inform them of properties where residents have asked not to be disturbed. Councilman Marc Le Vine compared the council's proposed no-knock list to the federal no-call list that permits residents to avoid receiving telephone solicitations. A commercial solicitor, canvasser, peddler or hawker is defined in the ordinance as one "traveling by foot, automobile or any other type of conveyance from place to place, house to house, or street to street, to distribute circulars for business or commercial purposes." Other approaches include selling real estate, taking orders for the sale of goods or personal property, or for services. Anyone taking a poll or a survey from house to house or on the streets, or distributing advertisements or handbills is also included. A section of the ordinance also addresses charitable and political canvassing. "Anyone going from house to house to interview, interact or inform another person or persons in an attempt to convince him or her to embrace or support or vote for a proposition, person, candidate, philosophy, idea, concept or organization" is also included in the ordinance. The amendment will require anyone who wants to canvass or solicit in Freehold Borough to first obtain a license at a cost of $100. Persons engaged in political, charitable or philanthropic canvassing will not need to apply for a license or permit, but they will be required to register as canvassers with the Borough Clerk. In an earlier version of the ordinance, political or charitable canvassers were required to apply for a permit and applicants were to be charged a $10 one-time processing fee. That stipulation has been deleted from the ordinance that will be the subject of the March 5 public hearing, according to Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins. In addition to the license or permit, every applicant will be required to wear a photo identification badge that will identify the person as a licensed commercial solicitor. All canvassing or soliciting must take place between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The Borough Clerk will prepare a list of addresses where the owner and/or occupants have notified the clerk that canvassing and soliciting is not permitted on the premises. The clerk must provide the non-solicitation list to all applicants who are seeking a license or who register for commercial, charitable, political or philanthropic solicitation. Anyone found to be violating the law will have his license or permit revoked and, if convicted, will be subject to a penalty not to exceed $1,250 or imprisonment for 90 days.
|
|
|
|
Post by cheryl on Sept 8, 2007 10:31:28 GMT -5
I found the same NT articles on the proposed ordinance, but wasn't able to find one that said the no-knock ordinance had actually been adopted. Does anyone have a cite for that?
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 10:33:21 GMT -5
Lauren,
Found some old articles for you to read. They are not that old. As you will see there are some exemptions from the no know list.
I am willing to bet the person who was going door to door was doing so illegally. Most people who are legit have no problem with identifying themselves. A credible company will also train their people to Id themselves, and handle themselves accordingly when going door to door. Something stinks about the person you mentioned.
Just my guess.
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 10:35:41 GMT -5
I found the same NT articles on the proposed ordinance, but wasn't able to find one that said the no-knock ordinance had actually been adopted. Does anyone have a cite for that? I am almost positive that the ordinance had reached the second reading. I do not not recall an article about it. I am going to take a very lucky guess and say that this issue may have missed the papers due to being overshadowed by the March 6 hate fest our town was put through. I could be very wrong in that guess. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 10:39:52 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by cheryl on Sept 8, 2007 10:44:33 GMT -5
I found the same NT articles on the proposed ordinance, but wasn't able to find one that said the no-knock ordinance had actually been adopted. Does anyone have a cite for that? I am almost positive that the ordinance had reached the second reading. I do not not recall an article about it. I am going to take a very lucky guess and say that this issue may have missed the papers due to being overshadowed by the March 6 hate fest our town was put through. I could be very wrong in that guess. I've just gone through all of the water bill insert/calendar "newsletters" that I can find, and didn't see anything there. (I now know what to do if a door-to-door chimenea comes along, though.) I will check at Borough Hall, if I have a chance next week. |
|
|
|
Post by cheryl on Sept 8, 2007 10:54:48 GMT -5
Thanks! Any idea what the mechanism is? (How residents can register, how to report violations, etc?) In our short time here in town, we have had to call the police three times regarding belligerent, nasty, foul-mouthed or just plain wouldn't-take-no-for-an-answer door-knockers... that's three more than my parents have had to deal with in the nearly fifty years they've lived in Middletown. Must be something in the orange-tinged Freehold water, I suppose. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 11:03:54 GMT -5
Cheryl, I will personally go down to borough hall with these questions this coming week. I am going to get a copy of the settlement anyway so I will go for a two fer. Unless people come up with other questions.  The issue of the no knock ordinance seams to have just dropped after receiving the press it did. I will also seek answers as to what a person is to do when they have a problem on their front door step. It is important to know what recourse a person has when dealing with a problem. |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Sept 8, 2007 11:11:33 GMT -5
Cheryl, I will personally go down to borough hall with these questions this coming week. I am going to get a copy of the settlement anyway so I will go for a two fer. Unless people come up with other questions. The issue of the no knock ordinance seams to have just dropped after receiving the press it did. I will also seek answers as to what a person is to do when they have a problem on their front door step. It is important to know what recourse a person has when dealing with a problem. To go a step further on this. I did open up a board for borough ordinances. Sadly, I have not followed through with it very well. If any readers have questions about ordinances, pose them here on the site. If another participant does not answer, I will personally go down to borough hall and get those answers to be posted under the ordinance board. Brian |
|
|
|
Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Sept 8, 2007 20:49:20 GMT -5
Thanks! Any idea what the mechanism is? (How residents can register, how to report violations, etc?) In our short time here in town, we have had to call the police three times regarding belligerent, nasty, foul-mouthed or just plain wouldn't-take-no-for-an-answer door-knockers... that's three more than my parents have had to deal with in the nearly fifty years they've lived in Middletown. Must be something in the orange-tinged Freehold water, I suppose. Call the police give a description, note the street and direction they are conducting business, and insist they investigate immediately, insist that FBPD send a car out and "address" the door knocker STAT! |
|
|
|
Post by Marc LeVine on Sept 10, 2007 8:30:58 GMT -5
And to think that when I proposed this ordinance many thought it silly and only a knee-jerk reaction to the Lakewood slumlord, who harrassed our residents door-to-door to sell him their homes or live among his growing list of slums.
No, the world has changed and Freehold Borough is changing. In the past year, I have had an average of 6-8 solicitors, per month, at my door. The number has been steadily increasing. Some are there pushing religion (Jehovahs); many are selling contractor services (siding, driveways, etc.); and the others are either product sales or real estate related visits.
I have warned some of the salespeople about the need for a permit and about the No-Knock Ordinance. I have also reported a couple to the police either because they failed to heed my original warning or they looked suspicious (one was walking around my neighbors house peeking in windows).
I am glad you brought this up, though. I will discuss getting more attention for the ordinance with Joe Bellina and also make sure that complaints are being heeded. Thank you.
Marc
|
|
|
|
Post by Morris on Sept 10, 2007 8:36:11 GMT -5
Thank you Brian, Fiber, and Marc for your responses and looking into this matter further. As always, I appreciate your help!
Marc - Since you mentioned contractors, that brought another question to mind. I often find that contractors leave papers on my (and my neighbors) porch offering their home improvement services. Would these papers be included in the "No Knock", as well?
Lauren
|
|
|
|
Post by LS on Sept 10, 2007 9:03:54 GMT -5
And to think that when I proposed this ordinance many thought it silly and only a knee-jerk reaction to the Lakewood slumlord, who harrassed our residents door-to-door to sell him their homes or live among his growing list of slums. No, the world has changed and Freehold Borough is changing. In the past year, I have had an average of 6-8 solicitors, per month, at my door. The number has been steadily increasing. Some are there pushing religion (Jehovahs); many are selling contractor services (siding, driveways, etc.); and the others are either product sales or real estate related visits. I have warned some of the salespeople about the need for a permit and about the No-Knock Ordinance. I have also reported a couple to the police either because they failed to heed my original warning or they looked suspicious (one was walking around my neighbors house peeking in windows). I am glad you brought this up, though. I will discuss getting more attention for the ordinance with Joe Bellina and also make sure that complaints are being heeded. Thank you. Marc Does having a permit prevent them from having nasty attitudes? I seem to remember how happy everyone was when Verizon was knocking door-to-door... (I guess they had permits that made them nicer people.) I assume that since the police were called on these other door-to-door people, there is some record of these people... |
|
|
|
Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Sept 10, 2007 9:07:21 GMT -5
Thank you Brian, Fiber, and Marc for your responses and looking into this matter further. As always, I appreciate your help! Marc - Since you mentioned contractors, that brought another question to mind. I often find that contractors leave papers on my (and my neighbors) porch offering their home improvement services. Would these papers be included in the "No Knock", as well? Lauren Sounds like you need a "No Solicitation" sign on your door (I need one too)! This can be a problem, if you on vacation, and these solicitations pile up, it is a signal to would be buglers! As well, just being a general nuisance too, again....My door front is not a storefront nor a pulpit |
|
|
|
Post by Marc LeVine on Sept 10, 2007 9:21:10 GMT -5
Lauren:
I've already sprung into action on this one. It will be on the next workshop agenda for review. Also, in speaking with Mr. Bellina, we will see if it can be prominently placed on the Borough Web Site and, perhaps, the new CIC committee can also help get the word out.
As far as flyers are converned, the "No-knock Ordinance" may not address this, directly. I'm not sure how or if we even should address flyer distribution at homes. They may fall under littering...I'm not really sure. I'm going to see what other towns are doing or not doing about door-to-door flyers before we discuss getting even more restrictive in this regard.
You are welcome to attend the next workshop meeting and comment during the public portion.
Marc
|
|
|
|
Post by Marc LeVine on Sept 10, 2007 9:30:05 GMT -5
No, but it's better to establish an understanding from the get go. Who are the solicitors? Where are they from? What are they doing in our town? Do we want them on our property? Do we want to be bothered by them? And, if they have a permit and cause a problem, it's good to be able to know how to find them and revoke their privledges. If they don't have a permit -- they need to pay a fine. If they want my business, they can run an ad in the Transcript or Press. I'll call them.As for the "pleasant" folks at Verizon  . If they are selling what we really want to buy - we certainly know how to find them! Marc |
|
|
|
Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Sept 10, 2007 9:38:17 GMT -5
Ha ha! Would-be "buglers" -- and what public domain songs do they play on their bugles? Thanks for the gales of laughter, Fiber! I think you mean burglers... OK how about "brother can you spare a dime"...  I though I did hear MARIACHI Brass this AM, hummm  |
|
bergsteiger
Full Member
War is simple, direct, and ruthless
Posts: 1,189
|
Post by bergsteiger on Sept 10, 2007 10:12:40 GMT -5
I have to a admit to being cynical, I always have a concern about a door-to-door "person" may be casing my home, or homes were no one answers (such'a city mouse). Also, with three little kids, I hate strangers a my door, to many evil freaks on the prowl . So, my rule of thumb, if your not comfortable with who's at your door, call FBPD and alert them ASAP! Ounce of prevention. Door to door loans and know ID... Call FBPD ASAP!!! Wait till they come to my door, maybe mr. Smith and Mr Wesson need to answer the door. It works! I open the door with my S&W .50 cal magnum And say “ you’re cute come on in”--So far no takers! ;D |
|
or engaged in door-to-door standup comedy. 
. If they are selling what we really want to buy - we certainly know how to find them!
