NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 3, 2014) – Residents of Davidson County can register their properties on the “No Knock” list to keep solicitors from knocking on their doors for a year.
Companies that conduct residential door-to-door solicitation of any goods, wares, merchandise, or services in Davidson County must obtain a permit with the Metropolitan Clerk’s Office. Citizens have the right to ask a solicitor for an identification badge, and of course can opt out by registering a property on the “No Knock” list.
According to the “Solicitation Permits” web page, Nashville officials say it is permissible to post a “No Trespassing” or “No Solicitation” sign visible on a residence that prohibits all door-to-door solicitation whether someone has a permit or not.
Solicitors from charitable organizations, anyone sponsoring book sales or other expressive works, and people selling newspaper and magazine subscriptions are exempt. The complete Metro Code is available at Metropolitan Code §6.64.
People using neighborhood social apps like “Next Door” have reported solicitors checking doors to see if they are unlocked while handing out informational materials.
The Nashville Police Department has published “Prevention and Safety Tips” and recommends the following home burglary tips:
- Watch your neighbor’s property and note suspicious persons and vehicles. Notify the Metro Police at 615-862-8600 and give a description, location, number of suspects, race, age, clothing, vehicle description and tag number. If it’s a burglary in progress call 911. Keep watching and stay on the line.
- Install a wide-angle peephole to inspect visitors.
- Change tumblers if you lend keys and lose track of them.
- Lock or bolt windows. Approximately 25 percent of burglars enter this way. Most won’t break the glass.
- Install locks on sliding glass doors to prevent door from being lifted out of the track.
- Secure window-mounted air conditioners so they’re not easily removed or pushed in.
- Secure garage garages and basement windows – consider a metal grill.
- Deactivate garage door openers when gone for extended periods of time.
- Consider outside lighting with infrared sensors. Floodlights are best.
- Lock up when at home, when cutting the grass or gardening. Burglars drive around looking for this opportunity and just walk inside.
- Use care with wedding and funeral arrangements.
- Consider a dog – the larger the better. Use “Beware of Dog” signs. (Keep vacuum cleaner in obscure location, as thieves can run a dog into a bedroom if the dog fears the vacuum cleaner.
- Mark and photograph/video valuables and keep a home inventory record with brand names, model numbers, serial numbers and other owner applied markings or distinguishing characteristics.
- Consider lawn care and house sitters while on vacation.
- Consider safes, either hidden or large, heavy gun safes.
- Consider a professionally installed and monitored alarm system with stickers and an audible system.
The Nashville Police Department also provides useful information on its “Operation Identification” web page that explains how to mark property with an identifying number to alert thieves that all valuables in the home are marked for identification purposes. “Operation Identification” is an excellent community project that promotes neighborhood cooperation and citizen awareness of crime prevention strategies.
There were 5,679 burglaries in Nashville in 2013 according to a Nashville Police Department report. Citizens are encouraged to be vigilant and to report a criminal activity tip to the Nashville Police Department.
The Nashville Police Department, in partnership with http://www.crimemapping.com, also provides an online service enabling the public to analyze interactive maps of recent crime activity at the neighborhood level to further strengthen community oriented policing efforts.
