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Vendors and public commenters press market staff on aggressive soliciting; city program to pilot $500 in market tokens
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Summary
Vendors and a longtime market vendor said aggressive soliciting and panhandling at the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market has become more frequent. Market staff urged vendors to call the office for incidents, highlighted staff de-escalation training and said a city program, Supportive Connections, will pilot at least $500 in market tokens for clients to spend at the market.
Debbie Marks, a market vendor and Ann Arbor resident, urged the Farmers Market Advisory Commission to take a tougher approach to what she described as escalating, aggressive soliciting at the market, saying it had become “worse than it’s ever been” and in some instances physically threatening to vendors and customers.
"The drug addicts are being very aggressive soliciting people at the market," Marks said during the meeting's public-comment periods, citing recent incidents and arguing the market needs more consistent on-site response.
Market staff told commissioners they are trained in conflict de-escalation and urged vendors to call the market office immediately when incidents occur so staff can respond and, if needed, eject problematic individuals. Staff also said that while they do not favor a heavy police presence, they are exploring low-impact security approaches similar to practices used at other markets.
In response to concerns about people in crisis and to encourage produce purchases, staff said the city's Supportive Connections program will buy market tokens for clients. "They are going to buy some of our market tokens," S2 said, adding the program's initial investment will be "at least $500" in $5 tokens. Staff said the tokens are universal across vendors and that more information on rollout is expected in May.
Commissioners and vendors also discussed practical steps for vendor safety, including better staff visibility and crowd-management tactics on busy days. Market staff reiterated that their first recommendation is for vendors to contact the market office so staff can intervene promptly.
The commission did not adopt a formal new security policy at the meeting; staff noted partnership options and pilot programs are in development and said they will share more details as planning continues.
