Hempstead Town Supervisor Trying To Make It Harder For Door-To-Door Solicitors
WANTAGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Residents in one Long Island community who've had enough with door-to-door solicitors are asking the town supervisor to do something.
As CBS2's Sonia Rincon reported Friday, the locals are taking away their welcome mats.
Does anyone really want someone knocking at the door selling something?
"I hate it. I get mad and I tell 'em get outta here," said John Lyons of Levittown.
"I don't like someone who knocks at the door, especially at night. That bothers me. I don't feel comfortable," added Fani Pagoulatos of Massapequa.
Neither did the person who started an online petition in Wantagh, asking Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray to come up with a "do not knock" policy.
Murray said she's actually working on exactly that.
"We think this is a very, very easy way for legitimate businesses to know, hey, this is not a residence that wants a knock on the door and to leave," Murray said.
You could make your own sign asking solicitors to go away, but what the petition in Wantagh is asking for is an official looking sticker – like the one used in the town of Oyster Bay, Rincon reported.
In Hempstead, you already need to fill out a form and get a permit with a photo identification to do any door-to-door soliciting. Murray said the proposal she's working on would add the sticker and stick a penalty on it, for ignoring it.
"We're thinking about a $500 to $1,000 fine. As I say, right now, for businesses that ignore our permitting process, they face a fine of $250," Murray said.
Lauredta Kowalik said she might get a sticker. She teaches piano lessons at her house and really doesn't like to be interrupted.
"Nine times out of 10, it's an organization you know nothing about and you're not really comfortable making a commitment and there they are on your front door step," Kowalik said.
So what are these solicitors selling, anyway?
"Anything -- they want donations for everything," said Julia Nappi of Wantagh.
"I'm selling solar energy for free, and nothing's for free. Everybody knows that," Lyons added.
Well, the stickers are free.
"That's a great idea, but it's not going to work," Lyons said.
Murray thinks it's a good step. She predicts the measure will pass unanimously.
Door-to-door solicitors in Hempstead and Oyster Bay already have to undergo criminal background checks, Rincon reported.
