[bdcrazy]

A blanket cutoff is ill advised in my opinion. I think it has to depend on the intent behind the phone call. For instance, I got a robocall from the water department monday saying there is a boil advisory in effect due to high water and sediment runoff due to weather. Having enough people for the once in 10 years where ythey needed that many doesn't seem necessary. And once you get into intent sadly, all bets are off.

[JohnFen]

Since I and most everybody I know will never answer a call from a number not in their address book as a direct result of robocalls, I'm not sure that this is a huge issue.

If, for instance, my water company called me with such a notice, it's not likely I would actually hear about it that way, because I'd assume it was a robocall. I'd more likely hear about it through other media outlets.

[fragmede]

No one you know has kids? People with kids have to take calls, in case it's a facility with something to report, so they can't ignore any calls.

[Buttons840]

There are people that can only be reached with a phone call. The water company has a responsibility to at least try to reach them.

[atoav]

I have never in my live received a robo call, then again I live in the EU. So yet another one of those unsolvable problems that have been solved elsewhere..

[JohnFen]

That's because it's far from an unsolvable problem. In the US, though, there is big money lobbying that works hard to keep the problem unsolved.

[mplewis]

Fine, then the only robocalls that are permitted are for public safety. All others are illegal.

[RealStickman_]

The government and utility companies here usually send letters to notify of issues or planned maintenance.

[sparky_z]

Do you really want to wait 2 days for a "boil water" notice to make its way through the mail?

[ulfw]

Shouldn't that be a text message or email?

[dacryn]

at that point, they can send you a text, an email, a letter, ...

robocalls are never necessary

[bravetraveler]

Not to dismiss your point, but bring more context to mind

... my city (Austin) addresses this with paper inserts on the door

There are alternatives, presenting your options as the extent feels deliberately shortsighted