Stopping Aggressive Real-Estate Speculators in Rockland: Hearing is Tonight at RCC

The New York State Department of State will hold a public meeting Wednesday in Rockland County to consider the need to adopt a Cease and Desist Zone in the community.

The meeting will run 6 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of the Cultural Arts Center at Rockland Community College, 145 College Road in Ramapo.

Both Senator David Carlucci and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee said that over the past few months, numerous community members have called their offices to report that individuals have been stopping by their homes, sometimes two or three times a day, asking if they would like to sell their property, and often in an aggressive manner.

Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart and the leadership of CUPON (Citizens United to Protect Our Neighborhoods)/Rockland and CUPON/Chestnut Ridge have also been calling for a hearing.

Blockbusting has also been a problem in nearby New Jersey. Toms River recently banned real estate soliciting, in the wake of months of conflict over the activities of real estate agents in the part of town closest to Lakewood, which has experienced tremendous growth among its Orthodox Jewish population.

Cease and Desist Zones are certain areas designated by the New York Department of State in which property owners can file notice indicating they do not want to sell, lease, or list their property.

Property owners in a cease and desist zone can register with the state and once they do, brokers and salespersons are prohibited from soliciting them.

The Cease and Desist Zones are considered stronger against blockbusting than the No Knock laws that exist in Clarkstown and Orangetown.