Salvation Army Bell Ringer Prompts Woman To Call Police

Portsmouth, NH – An irritated woman decided to call the cops after a Salvation Army bell ringer set up shop close to her job, according to Seacoast Online.

Sarah Hamilton-Parker decided that enough was enough when the Salvation Army bell ringer decided to start collecting donations near the store where she works. Frustrated and annoyed, Hamilton-Parker decided to pick up the phone and call the local police.

“I listen to this for 200 hours a year,” the woman said. “This is my fourth year and I can’t take it anymore. I’m so sick of it.”

Hamilton-Parker stated that she listens to the bell ringer roughly 40 hours per week. Needless to say the endless ringing is starting to take its toll on her mental and physical well-being. Although she’s complained about to the Salvation Army, nothing has changed.

While Police Captain Mike Schwartz certainly sympathizes with the woman’s plight, he explained that his hands are ultimately tied in the matter.

“I recognize her concern, but it’s something the city has given permission for,” Schwartz said. “They don’t even let me pick out my own clothes, so I don’t have a say in it. But you do have a voice in city government. These are not back-room decisions.”

Salvation Army bell ringers are frequently the subject of unwanted attention. While they do serve a purpose during the holiday season, it would seem that some folks see these volunteers as nothing more than an inconvenience.

According to the Brighton Pittsford Post, a former teacher decided to take out his frustrations on an unsuspecting Salvation Army bell ringer. Police have charged Bruce Littlejohn with harassment, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest after he got into a confrontation with one of the volunteers.

The bell ringer explained that Littlejohn approached her kettle and began shaking the pot. When she asked him to stop, he allegedly spit on her jacket. When she attempted to flee the scene, the former teacher stood in her way.

“We don’t see this very often so it was a bit of a shock when it happened,” explained Salvation Army trainer Jim Brennan. “We’re very concerned about the bell ringer of course but the Salvation Army is concerned about everybody so we’re also concerned about him and his family too.”

Do you find Salvation Army bell ringers to be annoying?