Long Beach Considers 'Do Not Knock' Registry For Door-To-Door Solicitors
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.
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"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.
