Do Not Knock ordinance clarified

Dear Editor:

I would like to clarify some misperceptions about the new solicitor “Do Not Knock” ordinance that became effective June 12, 2008. The impetus for the new ordinance was the rapes of two women over the past two years by traveling magazine solicitors. Solicitation ordinances, like the one that was in place in Claremont when the rapes occurred, had been declared unconstitutional by a US Supreme Court ruling that they were overbroad.

Stringent regulations were developed for those applying to engage in commercial solicitation within the city. Each applicant is required to pay an application fee. Applicants and their employers are subjected to thorough background checks by the police department. Solicitation identification cards, valid for only 90 days at a time, will be issued to those applicants who meet the demanding permit criteria. Any indication of involvement in crimes of theft, sexual assault or a number of other crimes will result in rejection of a commercial solicitation permit.

Less stringent regulations were developed for nonprofit organizations, including school clubs. Nonprofit organizations must only provide documentation to the City of their nonprofit status on an annual base. Those soliciting for nonprofit organizations are not required to obtain an individual permit and need only verify their affiliation with the organization. No fee is charged to nonprofit organizations for a solicitation permit. This will have little impact on legitimate, nonprofit organizations, but will prohibit solicitation by groups that are not legitimate nonprofits.

All solicitors must abide by the “Do Not Knock” registry and cannot solicit at addresses listed on the registry. Residents and businesspersons can apply to include their address at City Hall. Solicitation is also prohibited at locations where a “No Solicitation” sign or sticker is posted. The solicitation ordinance does not regulate religious, political and charitable speech that does not involve the solicitation of funds.

We believe the new ordinance will aid in preventing crimes committed by previous commercial solicitors and prevent unwanted solicitations by implementing reasonable requirements of commercial and nonprofit solicitors. Additional information about the solicitation ordinance is available on the police department website (claremontpd.org; go to “Crime Prevention” then “Solicitation Ordinance”).

Jeffrey C. Parker, City Manager
City of Claremont