AT&T almost losses an employee, and probably my future business!

[jaredpotts]

Just another over cooked "Someone knocked on my door thread". On the plus side though, at least it's not another "I had a scary dream" thread.

This made my day. Some people on here could definitely benefit from some medication.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[64zebra]

As with a lot of things we discuss on here.....you have to know the laws of your state.
PENAL CODE**CHAPTER 30. BURGLARY AND CRIMINAL TRESPASS

To answer your (OP) question....no...it does not constitute trespassing since you didn't have no trespassing signs posted in accordance with the law. Areas of your yard that are commonly used to get to your front door (sidewalk, driveway, etc) may be used by people to get to your door unless you post the signs. The gates and all are good but if you don't lock 'em then or post signs you can't complain too much when people reach your door.

[Chad Rogers]

I don't get the "almost lost an employee" bit? Do you mean you were ready to shoot her?

[Kerby]

I don't get the "almost lost an employee" bit? Do you mean you were ready to shoot her?

She knew the risk.... ringing a door bell in broad daylight...... she was asking for it I say..

[64zebra]

the map floating above her head showing the wireless coverage areas was menacing

[bigmacque]

First off, didn't you say after church? What is AT&T doing with people out in the neighborhood like that on a Sunday afternoon? Doesn't sound kosher to me.

But as for the no soliciting signs, no kididng. I've put one up, only to have it taken by one critter my wife ran off after she politely told him that the no soliciting sign was up for a reason. And as much as I like to read my Bible, attend my church, and socialize with my fellow Christians, I really don't want them coming to my door unannounce and uninvited, and this goes doubly true for the JW's in the neighborhood. So why don't they understand 'no soliciting'?

Because they're not soliciting, is their usual response. I think I need a sign like the Go Away Farm, then I can at least ask them, what part of 'go away' didn't you understand?

[OldVet]

It's called door-to-door sales and happens all the time. Want people to stop coming to your door? Post a no tresspassing or no soliciting sign on the gates. Then you have a trespassing case.

[farronwolf]

A bit of an overreaction. Like has been posted, they were not tresspassing.

Put up signs or lock your gates then you will have something to gripe about. Do you really expect people to yell at the house from the road when they need your attention?

That would piss me off if neighbors had folks yelling at the curbside or honking the horn until the homeowner heard them and came to the gate.

[ccw9mm]

Would any of you consider opening a closed gate trespassing? Would that gate need to be posted with a "No Trespass" sign?

If a closed gate were an obvious decorative item and not a barrier item, then possibly I would. What I'm thinking of is those puny little decorative, white picket fences in Historical District areas of many older towns. Those have no purpose other than decoration, really. At every single one of those I've encountered, the owners absolutely wanted visitors to come right up to the door and knock/ring. It's mostly a matter of flimsiness and size. It'll vary from gate to gate.

However, if the gate were of the normal variety, of normal height beyond decoration, then personally I wouldn't enter an area even to knock/ring at a door. There could be animals, a frustrated owner, whatever. And certainly, if there were a sign, I'd consider the sign as gospel if it directed people as to trespass. If I had legitimate business and had made an appointment, then I would, but likely only after having gotten confirmation regarding "guard" animals beyond the gate.

But that's just me.

Having lived in an older, rural area for much of my life, I've seen all sorts of "gates." So much depends on the owners of the property. I figure they are due the basic respect of being the property owners and living there. If they want me to come beyond any barrier, they're going to need to escort me or specifically indicate I'm welcome. The last thing I'm going to do is risk being seen as someone trespassing. With the consequences that can entail, no business that could possibly bring me to someone else's property is worth breaching that (for me).

[Harobi]

...this goes doubly true for the JW's in the neighborhood. So why don't they understand 'no soliciting'?

Because they're not soliciting, is their usual response. I think I need a sign like the Go Away Farm, then I can at least ask them, what part of 'go away' didn't you understand?

I had this problem before I put up a sign saying "No Soliciting and No Proselytizing" For those that don't know, proselytizing is the act of spreading religious views. I haven't had a single knock at my door since.

[TN_Mike]

Would any of you consider opening a closed gate trespassing? Would that gate need to be posted with a "No Trespass" sign?

No. I would never even consider opening a closed gate and trespassing. And I am continually amazed by the fools who think nothing of this type of action.