Riverside enacts new solicitation rule to prevent unwanted visitors

RIVERSIDE, Ohio ( WDTN ) — Solicitors in Riverside will now be required to adhere to a new rule adopted Thursday night — or face consequences.

Salespeople are now prohibited from approaching properties with “no solicitation” signs. This ordinance seeks to crack down on unwanted door-to-door salespeople or petitioners.

In recent years, residents had signed up for the city’s “do not solicit” list to prevent businesses and agents from knocking on their doors for sales. But, local leaders say homeowners still expressed safety concerns.

“I think there’s always a safety concern when people are in the neighborhood knocking on the doors. You’re not really sure you know what they want,” said Katie Lewallen, communications manager for the city of Riverside.

The city is doing away with the no politician list, eliminating the need for homeowners to maintain their status and for vendors to cross-check when working neighborhoods.

Under the new rules, unwanted solicitors will be prohibited from knocking on doors of any property that displays a message that no solicitation is allowed. This is something residents say is a growing problem.

“Some of these solicitors don’t understand that. They don’t know our bylaws and they just knock and knock, knock. And you can tell them to go away and they don’t,” said Dena Combs, Riverside resident.

Property owners in the area say their biggest concern is crime. One woman told 2 NEWS that she is afraid for her older family members who live alone.

“We having to worry about who’s knocking on your door is kind of a scary situation for these older folks,” said Combs.

Residents can get authorities involved if a solicitor on their property doesn’t follow the rules. Under the ordinance, violators can be charged with a misdemeanor, a $250 fine, and jail time.

“It’ll give the police more backing to try to deter people from soliciting or canvasing homes that really don’t want that type of activity,” said Lewallen.

This ordinance takes effect in 30 days.

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