Rosenberg mayor proposes ban on door-to-door sales amid reports of homeowner thefts
ROSENBERG, Texas (KTRK) -- "It's dangerous for citizens. It's dangerous for the solicitor and I think it invites theft and burglaries," Rosenberg Mayor William Benton said.
Benton says for years, there have been complaints about solicitors going to different neighborhoods in the city.
"They'll come in a group, they'll come into a neighborhood, then they'll go into another town," he said.
He tells ABC13 there was one incident where a former city council member's father was a victim of theft.
"I think they were selling electricity plans, and they used that as a pretext to distract the homeowner and went on and stole a safe out of his closet. It was $12,000," Benton said.
Current city law allows people to drum up business going door-to-door as long as they have a permit. But if his proposal goes into law, there would be a total ban.
"It's going to be up to the council. I would suggest to avoid loopholes. It'll be easier if you just have a total prohibition," Benton said.
One Rosenberg resident and business owner doesn't feel a ban is needed.
"I don't think a ban is necessary. It's not been something so prevalent here for me anyway, that we need to put that much concern in it," Chelsea Carpenter said.
Others feel the decision should be left to the public.
"People should be allowed to vote on it. Less government to make decisions possible. I'm for that. Let the people decide," Myron Cooper said.
Residents of Rosenberg will have a chance to weigh in at a city council meeting on August 26. Benton says there's a possibility a vote could take place in early September.
