Door-to-door salesmen are way too pushy

PEA RIDGE — Some door-to-door salesman were denied a city permit recently after numerous residents complained about them.

Kevin Radebaugh with Vivent Home Security purchased a two-day business permit on Friday, Aug. 19. Radebaugh, 29, of Utah, and three other men - Landon Williams, 31, of Utah;

Gage Keegan, 21, of California;

and Bryan McQuay, 26, of Utah - were listed on the permit to go door to door attempting to sell their product.

Several residents called CityHall and one e-mailed the mayor complaining that the salesmen were “very aggressive” and “intimidating.”

“Three very aggressive salesman were at our door on Saturday,” wrote the resident, who asked not to be identified. “Weare on the do not solicit list.”

Pea Ridge has a “Do not solicit” list which is available on the city’s web site or residents may call City Hall to ask to be added, Mayor Jackie Crabtree said.

When a temporary business license is purchased, a list of addresses on the do not solicit list is given to the businessman.

“We received several complaints,” Police Chief Tim Ledbetter said.

“If salesmen come to your door and you feel uncomfortable about them, call our department,” hesaid, explaining that it is better to be cautious.

One of the incidents was reported to police as a “suspicious circumstance” because the salesmen did not have paper work they could give to the resident.

“They told people there had been a rash of burglaries in their neighborhood,” Ledbetter said, stating that was untrue. “There has not been a rash of burglaries.”

“They also told people that their neighbors had already purchased the system.”

Ledbetter said the complaints including allegations that the men were intimidating, would not take “no” for an answer and were very inquisitive about the residents’ homes and asked to look through the homes. One resident reported a salesman put his foot in the door to prevent it being closed.

Because of the complaints, city employees notified the police when Radebaugh returned to City Hall Tuesday, Aug.

1. Ledbetter denied a new permit and said Radebaugh was very persistent and argumentative.

“I explained to him the reasons why we would notapprove a permit,” Ledbetter said.

Radebaugh again returned on Wednesday and was again denied. At that point, he threatened the city with his attorney.

Ledbetter said he contacted city attorney Howard Slinkard to inform him of the incident.

“I felt an obligation to the citizens to protect them from people I’m getting complaints on as being aggressive and making them feel uncomfortable,” Ledbetter said.

“Our big issue is the ones who are pushy,” the mayor said.