Discussion touches on door-to-door solicitors
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

HOWELL — In an effort to keep track of people who are going door to door in the community, the Township Council is considering starting what officials dubbed a “no-knock list.”

Similar to a federal law that prevents telemarketers from calling people who do not wish to be called, the no-knock list would be Howell’s attempt to keep door-to-door solicitors away from residents who do not wish to be contacted.

The measure was a matter for discussion at the council’s Nov. 9 workshop meeting.

Councilman Juan Malave asked if the no-knock list was being suggested in response to the murder of an elderly woman in Dover Township, Ocean County, by a door-to-door magazine salesman.

Mayor Timothy J. Konopka replied that it was and added, “it’s a safety concern being addressed.”

Konopka asked Township Attorney Thomas Gannon whether such a measure, if adopted, would have a negative effect on charities and other community organizations that solicit door to door.

Gannon said it would not and explained that First Amendment rights supersede any legislation the township could attempt to impose.

He then explained what the action would mean to vendors and residents.

“It doesn’t prohibit them (vendors) from conducting business, it establishes a regulatory process,” the attorney said.

According to Gannon, the benefit of having such an ordinance in place would mean that police would be able to register people who want to conduct door-to-door business and run background checks on these individuals.

“It’s so the governing body and the police know who’s out there,” Gannon said, adding that the legislation would also give residents “the right not to be bothered.”

Resident John Costi-gan asked if such a law would impact voter registration drives.

Gannon said it could, but noted that the ordinance — if one is ever proposed — could be worded to accommodate exemptions.

Councilman Juan Malave asked if having such an ordinance in place could be a concern for the police department.

“How do you enforce it? Are the police going to be bothered with phone calls, ‘Someone just knocked on my door’? It could be a concern,” he said.

Malave said Township Manager Bruce Davis should reach out to the Howell Police Department to get police input on the issue.