According to their official policy, "We ask all solicitors and petitioners to respect our policy by ceasing their activities and leaving our property. However, frequently they refuse to comply. We partner with local law enforcement agencies to assist us in having unwanted solicitors and petitioners removed from our property."
I've never seen anyone removed from the front of a store before. Instead what happens is there is usually a big angry red sign stating that what this person/group is doing is against store policy.
I'm curious about everyone's thoughts on this policy or similar policies other businesses have enacted. Should the store call law enforcement to remove people? What about the people who are knowing violating the store's policy?
Comments
I've never seen the big angry sign you mention and I've never seen anybody removed from in front of a store. Instead, I usually just don't see people on the property of stores with that policy. And I'm okay with that.
That would probably be bad for business.
But I think for a company that at least likes to give the image of being liberal-friendly, a lot of common associations that solicit donations outside of stores could cause conflict. I admit, I've thought about complaining to my local grocery store about the Salvation Army and suggest they try to get donations for the local Franciscans -- you know, the people who are actually standing on street corners and handing out food to the homeless and not using the money for political gain.
Anyway, I think my point is that they're probably smart to not have this for people like me who do actually get upset when a group we don't agree with is soliciting donations. So by disallowing it they don't have to get involved in any such issues.
I think private businesses absolutely have the right to restrict activity on their property, and especially if someone has been asked to leave and refuses, then they're opening themselves up to law enforcement involvement and legal action.
Also, what kind of a jerk continues to sit there after being asked to leave? "Excuse me, sir. I'm sorry, but company policy is that we don't allow solicitation in front of the store. I'm going to have to ask you to pack up and leave." "Uh, no." I would avoid such a person/group on principle, because seriously, what a dick.
I agree with Panther (I actually agree with Panther a lot, we should hang out sometime) that it's a smart move for them. There are a few organizations I flat out refuse to donate to for political reasons and I hate being hassled by them as I'm trying to do my shopping. So much so that I also tend to avoid stores where I know they'll be present.
There's also the discrimination angle. "Well why do you let the Girl Scouts sell cookies, but you refused my Boy Scout troop?" "Why can that guy register Republican voters, but I can't come out tomorrow and register Democrats?" And so on.
In short: Good policy, I approve, people are dicks for not following it.