No-Knock Ordinance Coming Soon To Lacey

LACEY, NJ — Residents won't need to worry much longer about solicitors bothering them by going door-to-door, as Lacey officials are considering enacting a no-knock ordinance.

The Township Committee said they were considering it at their latest meeting due to recent events. Currently, to solicit in Lacey, businesses must get a permit from the township with background checks.

But on a recent weekend, a business "dumped 28 people from Utah" who went door-to-door selling pest control, according to Township Clerk Veronica Laureigh.

It disturbed the police department "quite a bit" when it happened, she said, and the salespeople apparently came back to the houses several times.

"In today's society, I think it's time that we consider a no-knock ordinance," Laureigh said.

She added that she hoped they could have residents automatically opted out and they would actually have to opt in, though she wasn't entirely sure of the legality of it.

"I don't think I'd have no support from the community for this," Laureigh said to laughter.

Township officials agreed that a no-knock ordinance was a good idea, and Laureigh said she would gather sample ordinances from surrounding communities like Manchester, Toms River and Berkeley, all of which have enacted such ordinances.

She said she would consult with the police department and hopefully have a draft ready by the next meeting in September.