'Do Not Knock' Registry Open In Avon Lake

AVON LAKE, OH — The long-talked about "Do Not Knock" registry is open to residents in Avon Lake. Participants in the program will get a sticker that tells solicitors they cannot approach a residence.

To get registered for the program, residents will need to fill out an online survey or pick-up a physical application at City Hall or the Avon Lake Police Department. Once the form is completed and submitted, the resident's address will be listed on the online "Do Not Knock" registry. No residents' names will be listed.

Members of the program can also pick-up a sticker that says "No Soliciting/No Canvassing" from City Hall or the Police Department. Those stickers should be displayed at their home's entrance. Displaying a sticker is optional.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

All of the forms to join the "Do Not Knock" registry are available online.

The creation of the "Do Not Knock" registry was first debated in early December by Avon Lake City Council.

At that time, City Council President Martin O'Donnell told Patch he had received numerous complaints from residents about aggressive solicitors using high-pressure sales tactics and refusing to leave residents' property. O'Donnell said he thought a Do Not Knock registry, with biting penalties for offenders, could ease the problem.

"We have seniors and moms at home with their kids and sometimes the solicitors don't want to leave," O'Donnell said. "Good people sometimes don't want to say no. This is a way to help them."