North Olmsted, OH: 'Do Not Knock' Law Starts Monday

9 Apr 2008

An interesting initiative has been started by city officials in North Olmsted, OH.

Starting Monday April 14th, a "Do Not Knock"law, in the same spirit of the "Do Not Call" registry, takes effect. The city officials are giving residents a chance to fend off unwanted door-to-door salespeople.

North Olmsted's close-together homes make it a prime target for salespeople and soliciters. So far, almost 160 households have signed up to be included.

The law bans moneymaking businesses from visiting homes on the registry. Violators can be fined $500 a day and get up to 6 months in jail. Registry members get a sticker to display in a door or window. You can sign up in person, by phone or on-line.

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Comments

Rating: +6

dingobully - 9 Apr 2008

Does it work on Jehovah's Witnesses too?

Rating: +12

ArmyAngelOK - 13 Apr 2008

I think this NEEDS to be allowed to be applied to Jehovah's Witnesses as well, because there are some in our neighborhood that come around knocking every weekend. I try to be polite, but they won't leave us alone. So now I'm up to either ignoring the knock at the door, or I answer the door, then slam it in their face.
I have told them REPEATEDLY that I am a Non-denom christian, I do not wish to convert to their religion and they are not to come around anymore.
At my last residence I even had to put a sign up warning all "solicitors of any kind - this means Jehovah's Witnesses too" to stay away from our house or I will file charges of harassment against any violators.

I realize it's freedom of religion and speech, BUT... they are impeding on MY privacy, on MY property, and attempting to take up MY valuable time that I need for my kids... So no, they don't have the RIGHT to knock on my door. I don't walk around knocking on THEIR doors telling them they need to become regular CHRISTIANS...

Rating: +7

aag - 17 Apr 2008

turn your sprinklers on them and don't answer the door.

Rating: +3

THE BIG C - 19 Apr 2008

BETTER YET ELECTRIFY YOUR DOOR BELL BUTTON ON THE WEEKENDS AND WARN YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CALL BEFORE VISITING

Rating: +1

Shannon - 2 May 2008

That's great, but what happens if the girl scout's come around selling cookies? That's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Rating: -3

X - 6 May 2008

Not unless there is a sign posted No trespassing, hazard enforcement.
But If they sue you and you don't have any assets all you will get is a 10 year judgement. If your state garnishes wages move to Texas.

Rating: +1

whyme - 7 Jun 2008

To quote Dr. Ruth, "Seek therapy."

Rating: +2

Don - 29 Apr 2008

I like that. I'm hooking up sprinklers to an electric valve on my lawn sprinkler system so that I can turn that water channel from inside the house. That is so rich! I love your idea. Why didn't I think of that?

Rating: 0

steve from berea - 19 Apr 2008

all you have to do is ask them to salute your flag (old glory) and they never come back,,,try it,,after a couple times word gets out they ignore you,they now leave me alon !!!! yes

Rating: +1

md - 27 Apr 2008

Someone told me once: Your their rights ends where yours begin. This means yours begin at your property lines. Get a 'posted' sign and put it on your just inside your propery line; facing the street. Someone said: you need to registar it at the courthouse. You might want to check with a lawyer on this one.

Rating: -10

Tim - 3 May 2008

Please read Matthew 28:19,20...That's why we come around

Rating: +6

Harold Hughes, Jr. - 29 May 2008

Does that apply to me since I am an atheist?

Rating: +5

Reg - 30 May 2008

You and your ilk need to take your fairy tale religion and cram it! And stay the bloody hell away from my house!

Rating: -1

robin - 6 May 2008

haha just what jesus would do, right?

Rating: +1

bevku - 7 May 2008

I'm one of those people who occasionally knock on doors in my role as an identity theft adviser. HOWEVER, I stick to the letter of the law and will not knock on any door that has a no solicitors sign on it.

I am licensed by my city and the one adjacent to me. I never try to be a pest because I am a professional sales person, not a jerk.

I much prefer to just leave literature on their doors or even better MAIL them a teaser post card. I am a homeowner and I also dislike being bothered, so I try to be respectful of other's privacy.

Jehovahs Witnesses don't bother me as I have FUN with them. I give them a few verses in Greek and ask them what it means. Of course, they've not the slightest idea, zero, zip. I make a sound like a buzzer and say, "Wrong answer, but thanks for participating, have a nice day."

I'm NOT a Christian of any stripe, but I know the New Testament better than most Christians because I've studied it in Greek; I don't trust "versions," particularly the King James version; it is HORRIBLE. Deliberate mistranslations of both Hebrew and Greek run through the entire thing. I like Christians who don't have to go around telling me their Christians or tote a bible with them all the time like a good luck charm.

Believe it or not, I support the North Olmsted law; I may approach my city council about it.

Rating: -9

John - 8 May 2008

Perhaps you should publish the translations so that we all can be made aware. Otherwise You ask us to believe you and not others. Not a very compelling argument.

I am Mormon and have knocked on many doors, we don't go back if we know that we are not invited. Sometimes mistakes happen, but I don't believe they are intentional. People have the agency from Heavenly father to make there own choices about their eternal destiny. That is how it should be, people making their choice after prayer, scripture reading, and supplication. No one can make the choice for you.

Rating: +12

JP - 4 Jun 2008

Do not go pushing YOUR religion on US! (Christian, mormon, witness etc.) Those who, knock on the doors of people whom did NOT request a visit from you, pushing religions are infringing on my privacy and time. You are all the same!

I would drop you 'Door knocking' mormons and witnesses in the same bucket as the guy trying to sell me windows for my brand new house with new windows or DSL that I already have or even the kid bus'ed in from somewhere along with other kids selling candy or magazines to get thier basketball team to Disney World.

The world should be a "NO SOLICITORS" zone!

Rating: -8

whyme - 7 Jun 2008

If you hate people so much, why live in a community? Maybe you should live in a cave.

Rating: +10

tired of cultists at my door - 11 May 2008

You have the right to be free of those cultists bothering you at home. if they continue I would warn them they are tresspassing and press charges next time. They keep lists at their cult headquarters so they can easily put you on the list to leave be.

Rating: 0

tj - 30 May 2008

maybe you should

Rating: -8

MissJ.ca - 31 May 2008

You can ask that the JW's put you on a do not call list. They will politely and respectively abide by your request. I really don't think they are harming you in anyway, you're just one of those red neck losers who can't stand to be interrupted from your beer drinking first in the morning.

Rating: 0

Grey Area - 18 Apr 2008

I welcome most initiatives that would keep salespeople away from my door. I was on bed rest for 7 months this summer (pregnant).
I was left with two choice. Sweat inside my home with the door closed so at least I could hide or leave my door open, only to have the salesperson(s) knock..and..ring..and..shout for me until I had to get up and shut the door.

Ridiculous.

The problem is you are still going to have "charities", Religious groups JW and Mormons alike being excluded. Under the law they are not technically selling anything and are not-for-profit groups

Just a tip about JW"s. If you tell them not to return ask them to put your address on don't return list. They should do it in your presence (they call this a do not call) they are not supposed to return.

They have a policy for this request and keep a list of homes not to go to.
Next time they come or even now, get the number to the The Local Kingdom Hall/ Branch / and ask for your address to be put you on there "Do Not Call list".
They'll Stop! My dad did this 31 years ago and they have only returned once.

Give it a shot.

Rating: +3

BIG C - 19 Apr 2008

BEEN THERE DONE THAT DOES NOT WORK!!

Rating: -1

jwfriend - 22 Apr 2008

Jehovah's Witnesses will be happy to put you on their Do not call list. You can either tell them the next time they arrive or call your local Kingdom Hall.

Rating: -5

Ramjet - 6 May 2008

Wow there, The JW's dont deserve sprinklers turned on them.
They knock, you either say goodbye or invite them in. They do it by numbers and probably add up the no's and know they will get the odd yes based on stats. I'm not interested in their religion but they do provide a number of very valuable services to the community such as their family research.
I've been down to their kindom halls, amazing resources for free and not once have they ever used the opportunity to try and recruit me.
I don't like their slant of faith but its their choice to be brainwashed, if you don't want to join a religious cult then dont, if you are afraid of them knocking on your door then perhaps you have some psychological problems.
If you really want to ensure that sales or religious persons don't knock on your door, simply put a small notice on your door. Most sales organizations and I imagine the JW's give specific instructions to respect any sign that tells them not to knock on that door.

Rating: +1

Genealogy - 14 May 2008

Family research centers are run by LDS (Mormons), and are free and open to the public. Mormons are sometimes confused with JWs but they are worlds apart! Don't go snooping around any Kingdom Halls unless you DO want to be recruited.

Rating: -5

Ketchup - 6 Jun 2008

Adolf hitlet felt the same way. Weather you like it or now, JW's have fought for your rights as well, if you don't like free speech, move to Cuba or China.

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