New Rules Begin Sunday

CITY’S DOOR-TO-DOOR REGULATIONS CHANGING

— New rules begin Sunday for door-to-door salesmen in the city.

The city is switching from a do-not-knock list for residents who don’t want salesmen knocking on their front door. Instead, residents will post city-issued stickers on their door or signs in their yard to warn salesmen away.

The change was made in April by the City Council, which responded to several complaints from residents, said Brad Bruns, an alderman. He has distributed stickers at meetings of several property owners’ associations, he said.

At A Glance

No Solicitation Stickers, Signs

Door-to-door salesmen cannot legally call on Springdale homes with the city-issued stickers or signs. Stickers are free but the signs cost $5. Both can be picked up at the clerk’s office in the City Administration Building, 201 Spring St.

Source: Staff Report

“It’s been really well received,” Bruns said. “I explain the role of the city, the role of the vendor and the role of the resident.”

The city prohibits salesmen from calling on houses displaying the sticker or sign. Police can cite those who break the law. The maximum fine for a violation is $1,000 per incident. The vendors must purchase a $40 license from the city and each salesman working for the vendor must have a $5 permit.

The salesmen also must carry a copy of his permit, a copy of the ordinance he has signed and a photo identification card.

Residents should check that a salesman has identification, said Ken Hagerty, owner of Arkansas Security. The company, which sells door to door, is the only one to purchase a license so far.

Hagerty’s business has been victimized by out-of-town salesmen who pretend they represent ADT Home Security Systems, he said. Arkansas Security is an independent dealer for ADT.

“We’ve seen a lot of stickers up,” Hagerty said. “That will hurt us, but hopefully we can keep the companies that won’t follow the rules out. That would help us.”

The problem will be enforcing the rules, said police Capt. Ron Hritz.

“By the time a resident calls and we get an officer there, the salesman has left,” Hritz said. “I do like this ordinance better. We do have some requirements that we can check.”

The ordinance doesn’t apply to those knocking on doors for religious or political reasons, said Jeff Harper, city attorney. The ordinance also exempts nonprofit organizations, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“Those have never been a problem,” he said.

The city sent about 2,000 stickers to all those listed on the old do not knock list. Many more have been handed out at City Hall, said Denise Pearce, city clerk. About 20 of the signs have been sold.

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