Unfortunately, I don't think you'll ever get a satisfactory Dispatcher response (although courtesy is always in order!). I can say that because I was a Dispatcher for 12 years. When it comes down to it, these types of incidents, while extremely frustrating to a resident, are not a priority to the police. With violent crime rates higher than ever, budget cuts, and low manpower; the fact is, it is nearly impossible for the police to try and take control of "minor" situations. I personally loathe nothing more than the scavengers in my neighborhood. Every Tuesday night when the trash cans go out, they come out like vultures and terrorize the neighborhood all night long. But do the police ever respond? The answer is no. Once those cans hit the street they are City property on City land, therefore the City is the victim and they don't care that their property is being scavaged, although it's us as the residents that have to clean up the mornings after. Our cars were also broken into last week (along with several others in the neighborhood) on the same night, so I would safely assume that it was also done by the same scavengers. But, there's no point in reporting it. I once watched a man breaking into my vehicle and called the PD and provided the information while I was looking at him. They never showed up. I got a call several hours later asking if I would still like to make a report. So, I can completely sympathize with your situation.

As a Dispatcher, I took many such calls and often times, if we did have an available Officer to dispatch, it never failed that before they got to the area to investigate, I had to divert them for an emergency or other higher priority crime. It would often take an hour, and in many cases, much longer, for an Officer to free up again so I could re-send them back out. By that time, the solicitator would be long gone. However, I will agree whole heartedly with Officer Michelle's advice to get all the appropriate information. There have been rare occasions where, although it took a long time to get to the area to investigate, with proper descriptions, we have been able to locate the subjects and in some cases, have even found that they have warrants or are suspects in other things in the area. So, be armed with the correct info when you call. I can't tell you how many times I've taken phone calls from residents who will say "Just send the police" and they don't want to speak to a Dispatcher. They want an Officer right now, that very second, and it is just not possible, but with proper information, even if it takes an hour or more to respond, the chances of locating someone goes much higher because we as Dispatchers can broadcast that description and any Officer in the area can then check it out when they free up. But a "just send the police" doesn't allow for that. Even if you choose not to report the incident, having that information for future reference is not a bad idea, as well as the date and time you called the PD. If that subject returns or you end up with being vandalized or victimized in any way in the near future, you can have that information for suspect info and also proof that you did attempt to report the crime but had a less than desireable response from a Dispatcher.

I would also agree with Officer Michelle to call the number on the flier and ask to speak with the Supervisor. Perhaps a call to the Better Business Bureau would also be in order.

While I appreciate what our Police Officers do for us, the reality is, they are not God, they cannot be everywhere at once, they must triage by severity of a crime just like a hospital triages by severity of medical need and/or injury. There's too much crime and not enough Officers, so we, as residents, need to be proactive (although, please, don't take the law into your own hands!) and do what we can, where we can, by reporting them to every place we can such as their supervisors and the BBB (there was recently a story about a company who used aggressive sales tactics and are now under fire from complaints to the BBB - so, that can be a valuable resource for resolution). And, although you posted a sign, short of putting up a moat, a sign doesn't keep people out and really, it doesn't provide you with any real criminal legal recourse. It's also important to remember, when it comes to private property, solicitations, and signage, it also comes down to a civil matter rather than criminal and the police are there for criminal, not civil cases.

I would also encourage you not to engage with the solicitor. A simple closing of the door will do. Once you engage and start a verbal argument with someone, it only escalates from there. You risk getting yourself in trouble then too and, while being a victim is bad, turning into a perpatrator and becoming what you're trying to stand up for is worse.