How to handle solicitors in Eagle Nest
Fall is coming, and means solicitors will be out making their seasonal rounds. Painters, tree-removal firms, window replacemeny companies, roofing and construction repairers -- all will be coming out of the woodwork.
The Eagle Nest Board has gotten a few recent calls about solicitors, so following are neighborly suggestions and reminders in case your doorbell rings:
1. Remind solicitors that the entire neighborhood is considered a "no soliciting" zone. Eagle Nest has "No Soliciting" signs posted at each entrance. Ask solicitors to please heed the message.
2. Explain to solicitors that those who disregard our request for a "no soliciting" zone could find themselves on our neighborhood "black list" of unwelcome vendors and services.
3. Residents have legal rights. If you have a "No Soliciting" sign on your property (i.e. door, window, etc.) and a solicitor enters your property, they are breaking the law. You have every right to call the police and file trespassing or harassment charges.
4. If a solicitor becomes aggressive, abusive or insulting, call 911.
5. If a solicitor persists and refuses to leave your property, politely tell him/her that you decline their products or services, that you want them to leave and that you will call the police if they don't comply immediately. Be sure to get the solicitor's license plate, if possible, or a description of the person so police can be alerted later, if needed.
6. Mailboxes are for official government use and postage-paid items, so solicitors are breaking the law if they place pamphlets or fliers in or on the actual box itself, including the letter flag. If you see such advertisements attached to your box, confiscate the material and file a complaint with the United States Post Office. Companies in violation are subject to fines for each violation -- and our neighborhood has 419 homes.
7. The board is not a substitute for the police and has no authority over solicitors. However, the board would like to hear about any aggressive or disrespectful solicitors so that it can track offending companies and warn residents of potential problems. The board's contact info is listed on the blog's "Contacts" list.
-- Submitted by Scott Thien
The Eagle Nest Board has gotten a few recent calls about solicitors, so following are neighborly suggestions and reminders in case your doorbell rings:
1. Remind solicitors that the entire neighborhood is considered a "no soliciting" zone. Eagle Nest has "No Soliciting" signs posted at each entrance. Ask solicitors to please heed the message.
2. Explain to solicitors that those who disregard our request for a "no soliciting" zone could find themselves on our neighborhood "black list" of unwelcome vendors and services.
3. Residents have legal rights. If you have a "No Soliciting" sign on your property (i.e. door, window, etc.) and a solicitor enters your property, they are breaking the law. You have every right to call the police and file trespassing or harassment charges.
4. If a solicitor becomes aggressive, abusive or insulting, call 911.
5. If a solicitor persists and refuses to leave your property, politely tell him/her that you decline their products or services, that you want them to leave and that you will call the police if they don't comply immediately. Be sure to get the solicitor's license plate, if possible, or a description of the person so police can be alerted later, if needed.
6. Mailboxes are for official government use and postage-paid items, so solicitors are breaking the law if they place pamphlets or fliers in or on the actual box itself, including the letter flag. If you see such advertisements attached to your box, confiscate the material and file a complaint with the United States Post Office. Companies in violation are subject to fines for each violation -- and our neighborhood has 419 homes.
7. The board is not a substitute for the police and has no authority over solicitors. However, the board would like to hear about any aggressive or disrespectful solicitors so that it can track offending companies and warn residents of potential problems. The board's contact info is listed on the blog's "Contacts" list.
-- Submitted by Scott Thien
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