Cinnaminson Police Chief Clarifies No-Knock Registry Confusion

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Cinnaminson Police Chief Richard Calabrese cleared up some confusion surrounding the township’s no-knock registry during Township Committee’s meeting Monday night.

The ordinance, passed by Township Committee a year ago, states that once residents are approved for the registry, they will receive a sticker for their window that tells a solicitor not to come to their door.

Solicitors will get a copy of the list, and if they visit anyone on it, they risk ultimately having their license revoked.

But on Monday night, resident Mike Goins said he continues to get visits from solicitors at his home. He said he’s called police, but beyond making the solicitors leave, there is no penalty.

“If there is no fine, it has no teeth,” Goins said.

Calabrese said for a first offense, police issue verbal warnings, but don’t give out fines until subsequent offenses.

“When we get a call, officers come out, they give them a verbal warning, and they gather their information,” Calabrese said. “The solicitors are working during COVID, and they’re probably not making any money to begin with. We don’t want to add to that.”

He also said solicitors going door-to-door may obtain a permit to do so in a neighboring town, such as Palmyra, and not realize they wandered into Cinnaminson. Thus, they believe they are still soliciting in the town in which they obtained the license.

Township Committeeman Ernest McGill reiterated the best way for residents to handle solicitors is to register with the township and put up the signage they receive noting that they are a “no-knock home.” If they continue to receive solicitations at home, call the Cinnaminson Police Department’s non-emergency number at 856-829-6666.

Calabrese also said panhandling is not covered by this ordinance. When there are panhandlers at a local business, that is covered by a separate ordinance concerning interference with businesses. But soliciting at a state highway, such as Route 130, is not covered by the ordinance.

“There is nothing against asking for change at a state highway,” Calabrese said.