Residents of Upper and Lower townships are complaining to police and municipal officials about being bothered by people coming door-to-door, sometimes in the evening, hawking services, most recently spraying property for mosquitoes.
“We had someone come the other night at 8:45, trying to get us to sign up to get our yard sprayed for mosquitoes,” one resident said on the Lower Township Police Department Facebook page.
“Had three this week: one said about electricity; second about solar, which if he looked, I already have; and third I don’t remember. Shut the door on all three,” said another.
Upper Township residents have also been complaining about door-to-door salespeople, and in one instance police issued a citation to a vendor.
Lower Police Chief Donald Vanaman said soliciting door-to-door is not illegal, but the township regulates such solicitation, requiring a permit.
Vanaman said the permit allows the township to vet those doing the soliciting, requiring them to show a photo ID and provide the name of the company. He said his department will reach out to the company to inform them that a permit is required.
“We require people to be permitted,” he said. “Permits are about compliance. We’ve had this in place for some time.”
The chief said complaints have recently been received by the department or through Township Hall, mainly about solicitors for Greenix Pest Control. According to Vanaman, its representatives have been going around the county on Segways, soliciting without a permit, sometimes late at night.
“I’ve heard of them showing up at 9:30 or 10 p.m. Sometimes they woke people up,” he said.
According to Vanaman, residents were being told they would be required to sign up for two years, with a payment of $150 plus another $99 for the first application of Greenix service. The company’s website lists the $99 service for mosquito spraying. It did not provide options for contacting Greenix other than to sign up for services.
The chief’s advice to residents: “Don’t sign up.”
Vanaman said the township and Police Department started getting calls the morning of Thursday, July 24, and they grew in number. He said other companies have shown up in the township selling solar panels, magazine subscriptions, asphalt paving and replacement windows, and some of them are “pretty aggressive.”
Upper Township Deputy Mayor Victor Nappen brought up the solicitation issue at the July 28 Township Committee meeting. He reminded residents that the township has had a “hawking” ordinance since 2023, and vendors need to apply for a permit. Despite there being no active permits in the township, there have been complaints about door-to-door solicitation.
According to Mayor Curtis Corson, complaints about Greenix Pest Control representatives in the township mirrored those in Lower Township recently.
“They were very aggressive and wouldn’t take no for an answer and wouldn’t go away,” Corson said. “It was a problem.”
The mayor said after receiving calls from residents the code enforcement officer went out and gave at least one salesman a citation. He said the problem seemed to be resolved after the citation was issued.
Nappen told the Herald that Upper Township posted its regulations, information and advice on its Facebook page. It tells residents they have the right to contact the police if there are unregistered salespeople coming to their door. The police, it says, will take action if warranted.
The deputy mayor said the township used to prohibit door-to-door vending entirely, but a question arose about apparent First Amendment issues. The township in April 2023 created its ordinance, which requires the permit and, by way of the permit, a registration process.
All licensed vendors are required to display a township-issued badge, which includes the Upper Township Licensed Vendor label, a photo of the vendor, the registered company name and the license expiration date.
Upper Township is also working on a “No Knock” registry that will let residents opt out of all solicitation – even from registered vendors. Residents are also advised they have the right to post a “No Soliciting” sign on their door, which it said is an effective, legal deterrent.
“If a solicitor refuses to leave or makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement,” the Facebook post reads.
Vanaman said that, in most cases, when police encounter a door-to-door vendor without a license they can coach them into compliance. He also said they might call to be picked up and the township doesn’t hear from them again.
As in Upper Township, Vanaman said activity dropped off after posting information about the solicitations on the Police Department Facebook page. He said the goal of the department is to protect residents, particularly the elderly, who are often targeted for aggressive marketing.
The chief said Lower Township residents with concerns should call the department’s non-emergency number, 609-886-1619, for police assistance.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
