Bethany Residents Report Harassing Magazine Subscription Salesmen

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

BETHANY, Oklahoma -- Citizens in Bethany say magazine subscription sellers are becoming too aggressive.

"We had to call the cops," said Ron Horton, who said two teens came to his home offering magazine subscriptions. "They said they were raising money to go run track in Kenya, and we knew something was up."

Horton said another man living with him declined their offer and that's when things turned ugly.

"They became very belligerent," said Horton. "Later in the afternoon they came back, but this time it was a van full of teenagers and the man knocking on my door was a very large man. I didn't answer the door."

Horton said he's filed a complaint with the Bethany Police Department.

Bethany police say it's illegal for anyone to solicit anything within city limits without a permit. That's why they've tracked the group down and told them to stay out of the area.

"People in this country work hard, especially in Oklahoma. They work hard for what they have and what they've obtained. To simply let people come and take an advantage, I'd be laying down and letting people walk all over me. But at the same time I'm not doing my neighbor a favor by letting it happen and not making it known," Horton said.

Horton said the group's conduct will make him more hesitant to open the door and help out the neighborhood kids who are conducting legit fundraisers for their groups and schools.

Horton said at no time did the teens identify which group they were with or who was in charge of their fundraising efforts.