Avon Council could tell solicitors: Don’t come a-knockin’ around here
Benjamin Nagy
AVON — Door-to-door salesmen may have to avoid a lot of Avon homes if a new “no-knock” law passes.
Council members are expected to cast a vote at 7:30 p.m. today at City Hall to create a registry of homes where peddlers, solicitors and canvassers aren’t allowed to come.
“We want to be able to protect the homeowner’s right not to be disturbed, and at the same time balance that with First Amendment rights,” said Councilman Dan Urban, 4th Ward, who introduced the ordinance.
The goal is to provide a little peace of mind and to give a little added safety to senior citizens, single parents and people who live alone, he said.
If the law goes through — Urban said he thinks the vote will be unanimous — Avon residents will be able to place their names on the list. There’s no set plan right now for how to sign up, but Urban said that will be ironed out if the law passes.
Anyone selling, preaching, polling or campaigning on the city streets will have to get a copy of the registry from police and avoid all listed addresses, Council Clerk Ellen Root said.
They also won’t be allowed to knock on doors between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays or on Sundays and holidays.
Violators would face a $150 fine. On a second offense, they can be fined $250 and get up to 30 days in jail.
A similar law passed in early April in North Olmsted, and Urban said that its success provided a template for Avon.
Root said Council has talked about a no-knock list for years, but it’s never passed because some people have questioned its constitutionality.
But a few disturbing situations in the past few years have rallied support for the law, she said. In some cases, Avon residents have reported solicitors camping outside their homes, she said.
Root said the law has been designed to limit door-to-door salesmen and church groups without hurting school booster clubs and other non-profits.
Contact Jason Hawk at 329-7148 or jhawk@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Benjamin Nagy May 5th, 2008 in Local and State.
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