AMERICANS could soon be fined $300 just for knocking on doors under a new law in one US city.
The new rule aims to stop what local leaders call “aggressive and threatening behavior” that some residents have been subjected to.
The newest proposed ordinance in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, about 25 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut, would introduce sweeping regulations on door-to-door salesmen and their tactics.
Under the change, businesses sending out salesmen to knock on doors in the area would be required to register with the police department and could only send these salespersons out from 10am to 6pm each day.
Sales reps would also need to wear an identification badge and carry proof of their registration with the Springfield Police Department.
While these regulations would be new under the proposal, it would also up the established fines for aggressive sales tactics if passed.
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Currently, salespeople can be fined $50 per infraction when using aggressive tactics, but the new law would up this to $300 if it goes into effect.
These changes are coming as a result of residential complaints made to City Councilor Gerry Martin when he was canvassing local neighborhoods during his City Council campaign last year.
“People selling solar panels are the worst offenders, but there’s pest control and other pop-up businesses,” said Martin to local outlet MassLive.
“It prohibits aggressive and threatening behavior and when a resident says no the expectation is they leave,” he added of the law’s intents and goals.
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One key exception is that the solicitation law only applies to for-profit sales, meaning political candidates, nonprofit groups, and charities can operate outside of these proposed rule changes.
The City Council’s General Government Committee will discuss and refine the proposal at Tuesday’s meeting, after which various neighborhood councils will be asked for input ahead of the full City Council’s vote.