Free Newspapers Littering Lawn

[Glockster]

I could use some help from the creative brain trust here in dealing with a problem. I recently moved to Kingwood and have been surprised by the number of door to door solicitors, many of who leave their trash on my door and door step. I follow up with each of them and tell them to stop and stay off off my property. That seems to work. I am having one issue with the Kingwood Observer however that I can't seem to resolve. This is a free newspaper that someone drives up and down the street tossing into driveways and yards. If you look on the block that I am on you will see them sitting there for days, so clearly nobody wants this trash. And I particularly don't like that they will sit on the end of your driveway for weeks if you happen to be out of town, sending a clear signal to anyone that you're not home.

My problem is that I have been calling every single week for two months to try to get them to cease. I can only speak to a general person answering the phone, who claims to pass along my request. But it doesn't stop. I have left nearly a dozen polite voice mails with the circulation number, giving my address and requesting they cease. But it doesn't stop. Last week I called the Publisher's direct number (at the suggestion of the person answering the phone) and left the same message and saying that I can't get anyone to call me back. One week later with no reply, yup, there it was at the end of my driveway again last night.

Firstly, I can't seem to find anything in the municipal code that would specifically make leaving trash like this illegal (I can't find anything like for example, laws in other states which prohibit leaving unsolicited papers, fliers, pamphlets, handbills, circulars or other materials advertising a business or soliciting business at homes). Secondly, the LEO no doubt don't need someone calling to report litter. So I'm looking for any creative suggestions that I might be able to use in getting this to stop.

[suthdj]

Collect them, as many as you can from friends and neighbors, then go dump in front of thier building.

[Glockster]

Collect them, as many as you can from friends and neighbors, then go dump in front of thier building.

Have thought of this but didn't want to then myself litter. I have thought of saving them and taking them inside. Perhaps pick up all that I can find each day and delivering them inside their offices weekly.

[WildBill]

I have the same problem, but no permanent solution.

I started to keep some to start my BBQ grill and the others go straight in the trash can.

It is really said because they are wasting money and using natural resources for nothing.

[bblhd672]

Try calling all of the companies who are advertising in it.

[ScottDLS]

I know some folks in other states where their municipal code allows a "Throw no (hand)bills sign" that has force of law...and it's small. A 30.08 if you will...

Maybe you could use a "circle-slash-handbills sign" and bust them for trespassing with their papers, a class B.

[Jusme]

I could use some help from the creative brain trust here in dealing with a problem. I recently moved to Kingwood and have been surprised by the number of door to door solicitors, many of who leave their trash on my door and door step. I follow up with each of them and tell them to stop and stay off off my property. That seems to work. I am having one issue with the Kingwood Observer however that I can't seem to resolve. This is a free newspaper that someone drives up and down the street tossing into driveways and yards. If you look on the block that I am on you will see them sitting there for days, so clearly nobody wants this trash. And I particularly don't like that they will sit on the end of your driveway for weeks if you happen to be out of town, sending a clear signal to anyone that you're not home.

My problem is that I have been calling every single week for two months to try to get them to cease. I can only speak to a general person answering the phone, who claims to pass along my request. But it doesn't stop. I have left nearly a dozen polite voice mails with the circulation number, giving my address and requesting they cease. But it doesn't stop. Last week I called the Publisher's direct number (at the suggestion of the person answering the phone) and left the same message and saying that I can't get anyone to call me back. One week later with no reply, yup, there it was at the end of my driveway again last night.

Firstly, I can't seem to find anything in the municipal code that would specifically make leaving trash like this illegal (I can't find anything like for example, laws in other states which prohibit leaving unsolicited papers, fliers, pamphlets, handbills, circulars or other materials advertising a business or soliciting business at homes). Secondly, the LEO no doubt don't need someone calling to report litter. So I'm looking for any creative suggestions that I might be able to use in getting this to stop.

Do you know what time and day of the week they are throwing them? Perhaps meeting with the driver will get you some relief. Especially if you just happen to be OC at the time. Maybe give him written notice that if he throws another paper in your driveway you will turn him over to the authorities. (even though he may not be in violation of any law, he may not be aware of that fact) If nothing else you will have a LP to report to the police of a suspicious person who may get tired of being pulled over every time he comes to your neighborhood. Just spit balling ideas.

[Glockster]

I know some folks in other states where their municipal code allows a "Throw no (hand)bills sign" that has force of law...and it's small. A 30.08 if you will...

Maybe you could use a "circle-slash-handbills sign" and bust them for trespassing with their papers, a class B.

I wonder though if it would constitute trespassing if they remain in their vehicle and throw it into my yard? Thinking that trespass requires their whole entity to enter my property?

[Glockster]

I could use some help from the creative brain trust here in dealing with a problem. I recently moved to Kingwood and have been surprised by the number of door to door solicitors, many of who leave their trash on my door and door step. I follow up with each of them and tell them to stop and stay off off my property. That seems to work. I am having one issue with the Kingwood Observer however that I can't seem to resolve. This is a free newspaper that someone drives up and down the street tossing into driveways and yards. If you look on the block that I am on you will see them sitting there for days, so clearly nobody wants this trash. And I particularly don't like that they will sit on the end of your driveway for weeks if you happen to be out of town, sending a clear signal to anyone that you're not home.

My problem is that I have been calling every single week for two months to try to get them to cease. I can only speak to a general person answering the phone, who claims to pass along my request. But it doesn't stop. I have left nearly a dozen polite voice mails with the circulation number, giving my address and requesting they cease. But it doesn't stop. Last week I called the Publisher's direct number (at the suggestion of the person answering the phone) and left the same message and saying that I can't get anyone to call me back. One week later with no reply, yup, there it was at the end of my driveway again last night.

Firstly, I can't seem to find anything in the municipal code that would specifically make leaving trash like this illegal (I can't find anything like for example, laws in other states which prohibit leaving unsolicited papers, fliers, pamphlets, handbills, circulars or other materials advertising a business or soliciting business at homes). Secondly, the LEO no doubt don't need someone calling to report litter. So I'm looking for any creative suggestions that I might be able to use in getting this to stop.

Do you know what time and day of the week they are throwing them? Perhaps meeting with the driver will get you some relief. Especially if you just happen to be OC at the time. Maybe give him written notice that if he throws another paper in your driveway you will turn him over to the authorities. (even though he may not be in violation of any law, he may not be aware of that fact) If nothing else you will have a LP to report to the police of a suspicious person who may get tired of being pulled over every time he comes to your neighborhood. Just spit balling ideas.

They seem to come sometime on Wednesday - it varies each week somewhat. Yesterday when it hit 4pm I had hope, then saw it there by 6pm.

I have thought about the OC...but wonder if he/she might pull a MWAG. Just don't want to waste my time educating someone who might respond later. I like the calling in a suspicious person...though as we're patrolled by City of Houston suspect that the response time would be such that the car would be long gone from this neighborhood (this is a closed neighborhood with just two access points and no cut through roads). Both possible ideas though. Also thought of showing up in their office OC, as I'm guessing that they probably haven't thought of posting (yet) and think that they might pay more attention to a MWAG there...but then I thought about giving a bad impression of OC'ers.

[puma guy]

My neighborhood was plagued by the same problem. Two different papers were being delivered, most were left laying and ended up in the street and washed to the storm sewer culvert in front of my corner house stopping the drain if I couldn't get to them all. I called the publishers to no avail and they city was no help even though I informed them of the impeded flow of storm water. Apparently the response or lack thereof from the ads became apparent and they stopped being delivered. So maybe there's some hope for you.

[lfinsr]

Collect them, as many as you can from friends and neighbors, then go dump in front of thier building.

Have thought of this but didn't want to then myself litter.

You're not littering, just delivering the paper exactly like they do.

[Jim Beaux]

Do you know what time and day of the week they are throwing them? Perhaps meeting with the driver will get you some relief. Especially if you just happen to be OC at the time. Maybe give him written notice that if he throws another paper in your driveway you will turn him over to the authorities. (even though he may not be in violation of any law, he may not be aware of that fact) If nothing else you will have a LP to report to the police of a suspicious person who may get tired of being pulled over every time he comes to your neighborhood. Just spit balling ideas.

I went through the same situation & complained to the circulation manager. Problem was the delivery person turn over. By the time you get one trained he quits.

[WildBill]

Do you know what time and day of the week they are throwing them? Perhaps meeting with the driver will get you some relief. Especially if you just happen to be OC at the time. Maybe give him written notice that if he throws another paper in your driveway you will turn him over to the authorities. (even though he may not be in violation of any law, he may not be aware of that fact) If nothing else you will have a LP to report to the police of a suspicious person who may get tired of being pulled over every time he comes to your neighborhood. Just spit balling ideas.

I went through the same situation & complained to the circulation manager. Problem was the delivery person turn over. By the time you get one trained he quits.

For a "free newspaper" that isn't too surprising.

[RPBrown]

Send them a $500.00 invoice each week for litter clean up. After they don't pay for 30 days send them a certified demand letter with civil suit threat. They may have some contact then.

[FCH]

Try calling all of the companies who are advertising in it.

If you call a few of their advertisers, explain your problem, and ask the advertiser to contact the publisher. They may listen to their revenue stream.