The police department is offering residents free “No Solicitors” signs to hang in their doors, following the arrest last week of three individuals for soliciting without a city permit.
Lt. Dennis Anderson said complaints to police about high-pressure, door-to-door soliciting have increased the last several weeks.
“They’re like a swarm of bees coming into our community lately, almost like an attack,” Anderson said. “Many people are intimidated by that sort of thing and give the solicitor anything they want.”
Solicitors wishing to do business in Batavia are required to register with the city to receive a permit, which allows salesmen to go door to door until 6 p.m.
Not-for profit groups are exempt from the registration process and can solicit until 9 p.m. but must be on a list approved by the City Council.
“We can’t prevent them from soliciting because groups have gone to court and have won decisions giving them that right,” Anderson said. “People need to be very cautious when dealing with door-to-door solicitors.”