Tonight, February 27, 2020, there are reports on Faceook of door-to-door solicitors knocking on doors after dark. One person called GPD and they said no response unless they violate a “NO SOLICITING” sign. Then an additional report on the same street brought GPD response tonight. Not sure of the outcome.
THIS IS NOT .. ABSOLUTELY NOT .. a criticism of GPD. They are simply operating within the guidelines set for them by this administration.From November 30, 2018 to March 27, 2019, I sent a series of emails to the BMA and this post contains the articles and information contained in those emails. Citizens all across Germantown were experiencing a terrible rash of aggressive and almost threatening door-to-door solicitors. (Seemed to be on a rolling basis from one neighborhood to the next.) Also some were reporting that these were just scammers. Some of the “solicitors” said they were “selling magazines”. Citizens reported in times past, they bought to help out the young people but did not receive magazines. Several people reported aggressive and intimidating behavior happening to them and to their children outside their homes. Some people even said they just gave them some money to get them to leave.
Unless someone else has heard any more response than I did, our only recourse is to put up “NO SOLICITING” signs at our front door and call GPD if someone knocks anyway. Or if they do exhibit more aggressive behavior that warrants calling GPD.
Excerpts from my emails:The Town of Collierville has an ordinance that places some restrictions, even though we can not entirely prohibit.
https://collierville.com/community-news/1440-collierville-police-offer-home-solicitation-safety-tips?highlight=WyJkb29yIiwidG8iLCJkb29yIiwiZG9vciB0byIsImRvb3IgdG8gZG9vciIsInRvIGRvb3IiXQ==Lakeland has similar ordinance
http://www.lakelandtn.gov/index.aspx?NID=331&fbclid=IwAR0Jaqhf98x0EwUlOVNKlF8abx5fUuuKpksnw1LKGykJAfD19Ebgc9Pdm6wIn the complaints on social media one person who recently moved here from Nashville, mentioned that Metro Davidson County also has a similar ordinance.
https://www.nashville.gov/Metro-Clerk/Door-to-Door-Solicitation.aspxThis is actually more than just an annoyance. When groups, who are obvious scammers, know that we do not have an ordinance, like Collierville, Lakeland and Nashville do, they have little fear of prosecution.
Although you may accuse me of being a fear monger, a recent episode of Forensic Files "Death by a Salesman" illustrates the danger in allowing these unvetted groups to roam a "safe" area with no restrictions. If we had an ordinance requiring permits or I.D. badges and some form of vetting for legitimacy, at least GPD could have a reason to stop and ask for their proof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHSjl6Dwyl0&fbclid=IwAR3aMkq2eQLTRMuPoPczARWYSanLcLxe8JCLCbRWoZOEdl7aI5Qql-6b7Y0A "NO SOLICITATION" sign on this lady's door in Knox County, Tennessee, would have done NOTHING to prevent her murder by this door to door solicitor. He apparently intended to break in and steal thinking no one was home. Please take the time to watch this video.
We also seem to be having a rash of unlocked vehicle being ransacked, based on a recent GPD report. Of course, it is possible this is totally unrelated, but it is also possible that they are related.