INDIANAPOLIS -- It's a problem that pops up regularly when the weather starts getting warm: Keeping the door-to-door solicitors away.
Homeowners in the Steeple Chase West subdivision are fed up with solicitors showing up at their doors and are working on ways to make them stop.
Councilwoman Christine Scales said the complaints have gotten so bad that she’s sent a message out on the Next Door app to help address the issue.
Jack Levy says the sign on his door that says “no soliciting” doesn’t do him any good.
“The last person was wanting to do pest control,” said Levy. “I called the police, and the person heard me doing that, and when I was giving his description over the phone, he left. He walked around the corner.”
Scales says it’s something you can’t always stop, but by knowing the legal side of it you can help protect yourself and your home.
“By going on to private property, someone’s home, they are trespassing,” said Scales. “That is for any kind of sale of goods. There are exceptions for things like milk, eggs and grocery type items.”
Many areas have ordinances requiring all solicitors to get a permit from the city. Legitimate solicitors will go through a background check and receive a permit and photo ID they must carry with them while going door-to-door.
If someone knocks on a door to sell something, you have the right to ask to see their permit. If the person doesn't have one or doesn't respect your wishes to be left alone, you can always call police to ask to have them removed from your property.
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