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Health & Fitness

Should Mercer Island Enforce Solicitor Laws?

At the last City Council meeting it was good to hear that the city is looking into the ordinance regarding canvassers and solicitors. There needs to be more dependability and accountability of the people here who are going from house to house. Presently, Mercer Island has an ordinance controlling soliciting, but does not enforce it. I have heard the lack of enforcement is due to concern about the potential legal liability of the ordinance. Research by private citizens has revealed multiple cities in the area enforcing well-written ordinances without subjecting their city to legal recourse. Moreover, there are indications that the increase in burglaries in recent years may be connected to people posing as solicitors in order to do a preliminary surveillance of homes.

I encourage the city staff to complete their evaluation of the ordinance quickly. Even if the staff does not believe burglars are posing as solicitors, residents are feeling exposed and vulnerable. No one should have to live in fear in their own home. Besides, people who are closest to a situation often understand it better than anyone else, and a homeowner who has been burglarized is very close to the situation. 

The city enforces ordinances that apply to merchants residing in the Central Business District, so wouldn't it make sense to enforce an ordinance on merchants who come to your door?

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