New Solicitation Code Would Add "Do Not Knock" List for Residents
By: Katie Thompson
Updated: January 9, 2012
City Council will make it's final vote this Thursday on an ordinance that adds several regulations to the city's code on soliciting.
It's an effort to control businesses, non-profits or individuals who flood Abilene's streets on a daily basis.
Abilene residents who would like to keep door-to-door solicitors from their homes, may soon be able to put a stop to the knocking.
City Council will make it's final vote this Thursday on an ordinance that adds several regulations to the city's code on soliciting.
It's an effort to control businesses, non-profits or individuals who flood Abilene's streets on a daily basis.
A friendly knock at the door has turned into an annoyance for some Abilene residents.
"They knock on the door, you don't know who they are, it's a stranger. You know, people are concerned," Explains Steve Abel of the Abilene Better Business Bureau.
The B-B-B has received numerous complaints on door-to-door solicitors becoming more prevalent in the area,
That's why the Abilene City Council is proposing new changes to the city's code that makes regulating solicitation easier, and adds more requirements .
Many residents deal with solicitors constantly.
"Most of them think I'm probably the meanest woman who ever drew breath," Says C.V. Jennings.
Jennings laughs when she thinks about how many door-to-door solicitors she sees every day.
"They'll say...don't you need some yard work done? Do you have any food you could spare? Don't you need to read a magazine?" She explains.
She says the proximity of her Meander Street home to the nearest bus stop, may be a reason businesses make their way to her door step first
"They're walking to or from the bus, or who knows where they're going. But, of course, I can also get into the house rather quickly"
Many people put up "no soliciting signs", but even those don't seem to turn everyone away. That's why the city is trying something new, adding a "do not knock" list.
In the new ordinance, residents would register for the do-not knock list through the city secretary's office
Other changes include limiting hours, requiring a permit to be displayed, and adding penalties for violating the new code.
"We're going to put together a brochure for homeowners and for businesses about the new rules for anyone who wants to get up to speed," Says Abel.
The Better Business Bureau says it will take all necessary steps to educate residents on the new rules if they are passed.
The vote will take place this Thursday at 8:30 AM at city hall.
It's an effort to control businesses, non-profits or individuals who flood Abilene's streets on a daily basis.
Abilene residents who would like to keep door-to-door solicitors from their homes, may soon be able to put a stop to the knocking.
City Council will make it's final vote this Thursday on an ordinance that adds several regulations to the city's code on soliciting.
It's an effort to control businesses, non-profits or individuals who flood Abilene's streets on a daily basis.
A friendly knock at the door has turned into an annoyance for some Abilene residents.
"They knock on the door, you don't know who they are, it's a stranger. You know, people are concerned," Explains Steve Abel of the Abilene Better Business Bureau.
The B-B-B has received numerous complaints on door-to-door solicitors becoming more prevalent in the area,
That's why the Abilene City Council is proposing new changes to the city's code that makes regulating solicitation easier, and adds more requirements .
Many residents deal with solicitors constantly.
"Most of them think I'm probably the meanest woman who ever drew breath," Says C.V. Jennings.
Jennings laughs when she thinks about how many door-to-door solicitors she sees every day.
"They'll say...don't you need some yard work done? Do you have any food you could spare? Don't you need to read a magazine?" She explains.
She says the proximity of her Meander Street home to the nearest bus stop, may be a reason businesses make their way to her door step first
"They're walking to or from the bus, or who knows where they're going. But, of course, I can also get into the house rather quickly"
Many people put up "no soliciting signs", but even those don't seem to turn everyone away. That's why the city is trying something new, adding a "do not knock" list.
In the new ordinance, residents would register for the do-not knock list through the city secretary's office
Other changes include limiting hours, requiring a permit to be displayed, and adding penalties for violating the new code.
"We're going to put together a brochure for homeowners and for businesses about the new rules for anyone who wants to get up to speed," Says Abel.
The Better Business Bureau says it will take all necessary steps to educate residents on the new rules if they are passed.
The vote will take place this Thursday at 8:30 AM at city hall.
