For the purpose of protecting residents from criminal activities
and safeguarding their privacy, there is hereby established a no-knock
registry of properties where canvassing and soliciting are prohibited.
The no-knock registry shall be maintained by the Township Clerk.
The Township Clerk shall prepare a list of addresses of those premises
whose owners or occupants have notified the Clerk that canvassing
or soliciting are not permitted on their premises. Notification shall
be by the completion of a form, available online, at the Township's
website. The premises shall remain on the registry unless the owners
or occupants notify the Township Clerk, in writing, that they wish
the property to be removed from the registry. The Township Clerk shall
update the list monthly. The inclusion of a premises on the registry
shall be deemed a revocation of any privilege or license to enter
or attempt to enter the property.
Owners or occupants who have requested to be listed on the no-knock registry pursuant to Subsection A herein may procure from the Clerk's office a notice for display on the premises indicating the enlistment on the no-knock registry. The notice shall indicate which solicitors may contact residents and shall read substantially as follows:
"These premises are listed on the Township of Union's 'No-Knock
Registry.' You may not enter or attempt to enter these premises
for the purpose of canvassing or soliciting, which includes offering
to purchase real estate on behalf of any person or organization. Charitable,
political, religious organizations are exempt from this law. Violation
may result in a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 90 days of community
service."
The first notice shall be provided free of charge and may be picked
up in person during regular business hours. If a replacement notice
is required, the individual may pick up the replacement notice at
the Clerk's office for a fee of $5, which shall be payable to
the Township Clerk. A fee of an additional $1 per notice will be applied
for any individual who desires to have a notice mailed to him or her,
payable to the Township Clerk. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3, "any
owner or occupant who has listed his or her premises on this registry
shall be deemed to have revoked any express or implied legal privilege
or license to enter or attempt to enter the premises."
Although the most current list of registrants on the Township no-knock
registry shall be provided by the Township Clerk, it is the responsibility
of the canvasser or solicitor to have the most up-to-date list prior
to engaging in any canvassing or soliciting.
Any person convicted of violating this section upon competent evidence
by an owner, occupant or other person with personal knowledge of such
violation shall be subject to the following:
Subsequent offense: a minimum fine of $100 with a maximum of up to
$2,000 for each offense, together with community service for a period
of up to 90 days; and
The Township shall post notice of how to apply online on the Township
webpage and distribute to other media outlets as designated by the
Township. The Township shall provide instructions on how to register
online to the public and undertake reasonable efforts in education
in order to further public awareness of the no-knock registry.
This section does not preclude an owner or occupant from filing any
other appropriate complaint with the Municipal Prosecutor, including
a complaint for trespass.