Douglas County Sheriff Makes New Signs to Prevent Soliciting

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Hail the size of a golf ball caused damage and doorbells at Rick Sibert's home.

“From noon to 8 o'clock at night, or nine o'clock, the last time anyone knocked on the door was 9:30 p.m.,” Rick said.

So, Rick brought a new sign bearing the sheriff's approval badge, warning unwanted lawyers that they will be prosecuted.

“I don’t want to press charges, I just want to be left alone,” Rick said. “But if it’s the same company that continues to do it, then yes, I would sue.”

A message bolder than most displayed on front doors.

The Douglas County sheriff says that in his jurisdiction, typical “no solicitation” stickers aren't enough to prove that an attorney intentionally ignored them. But these new warnings, placed where they can't be missed, give deputies the clear evidence they need to sign a citation.

“It’s going to help deputies or other officers because it’s going to be part of the evidence,” Sheriff Aaron Hanson said. “They will take a picture of the sign and show it to the prosecutor and the judge. So it's important that it's very obvious.”

Unionist Printing made the signs which sell for about $15 each.

“They’re durable and easy to assemble,” said Unionist’s Trevor Anzalone. “They come in one package and even come with a tool.”

Patrick Jones is a neighborhood watch captain who posted a neighborhood message saying the new signs are available.

“I had neighbors contact me saying they wanted some, so I went and got a bunch and they came by to pick them up,” Patrick said.

The new posters are popular in a neighborhood where there are complaints about so-called authoritarian lawyers.

“With these signs, it gives us more flexibility to contact law enforcement to do something,” Patrick said. “We have lawyers who refuse to leave our property. »

Window stickers are also available, but attorneys will be notified if they pass the “no trespassing” sign on the way to a doorbell.

Within Omaha city limits, peddler's permits are required, which provide information on who has shown up at a resident's door. The law doesn't go that far in rural Douglas County, outside Omaha.

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