Howell Residents Reminded Of No-Knock Registry After Woman's Facebook Post

HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township residents are being reminded that the township has a no-knock registry and a ban on soliciting without a permit, after a resident posted about an encounter she had with salesmen knocking on her door Saturday.

Barbara Hurley, posting on the Howell Happenings NJ Facebook page, said she had several people ringing her doorbell Saturday morning, claiming to be from various power companies, trying to talk to her about reducing her electric costs.

"Didn't like the one guy who asked me if I was alone so I called the police," she wrote. "Shortly before they arrived, another guy came with the same speech and also knew my name and the cops questioned him and it turns out that even though his company was legit, he didn't have a permit to be going door to door. Cops had him picked up by his company and told him not to go door to door without a permit again."

The administrators of the Howell Happenings NJ page shared Hurley's post and pointed out the township has a "no-knock" registry, where residents can sign up to say they do not want solicitors knocking at their doors. The registry does not apply to religious groups or political campaigning, however.

Township ordinance also requires all companies intending to solicit door-to-door to apply for a permit, which also provides them with a list of residents who have signed up for the no-knock registry.

"All solicitors must be able to show their permit if asked. If they cannot show a permit, you should report them," the Howell Happenings post said.

To sign up for the No-Knock registry or learn more, click here.

Image via Saddle Brook, NJ, municipal page