Ann Arbor, Michigan is a vibrant city with a bustling downtown scene filled with anyone from University of Michigan students to business owners, to U of M faculty members. But panhandlers and the homeless also have a growing presence in the downtown and campus areas of Ann Arbor.
Walking the streets of downtown and campus, people are likely to encounter people sitting/standing on the streets asking for spare change. But many Ann Arborites report experiences with aggressive panhandling, which is in fact, a crime and can be intimidating to people.
Jeff Freshcorn, a U of M Dental School faculty member whose office is downtown Ann Arbor, is particularly frustrated with the panhandlers' newfound aggressive and forceful nature. Freshcorn often walks to Potbelly Sandwich Shop for lunch near his office, and says he can barely walk a block without being asked for money multiple times.
"Years ago there were characters who were harmless, now we see younger, more forceful people and they seem angry if you don’t give them money," said Freshcorn.
Freshcorn, along with his officemates, also note that the overly aggressive panhandlers quite obviously target students, especially women and foreigners.
According to Freshcorn, people consistently complain to local authorities about the problem and safety of the downtown area, but little is actually being done. The Ann Arbor Police Department has been repeatedly notified of the issue according to Ann Arbor residents, but they say they only witness police officers simply pushing panhandlers along to new locations.
Residents say they're concerned about the reputation of their city especially for business opportunities, and hope for improvement in the future.
Walking the streets of downtown and campus, people are likely to encounter people sitting/standing on the streets asking for spare change. But many Ann Arborites report experiences with aggressive panhandling, which is in fact, a crime and can be intimidating to people.
Jeff Freshcorn, a U of M Dental School faculty member whose office is downtown Ann Arbor, is particularly frustrated with the panhandlers' newfound aggressive and forceful nature. Freshcorn often walks to Potbelly Sandwich Shop for lunch near his office, and says he can barely walk a block without being asked for money multiple times.
"Years ago there were characters who were harmless, now we see younger, more forceful people and they seem angry if you don’t give them money," said Freshcorn.
Freshcorn, along with his officemates, also note that the overly aggressive panhandlers quite obviously target students, especially women and foreigners.
According to Freshcorn, people consistently complain to local authorities about the problem and safety of the downtown area, but little is actually being done. The Ann Arbor Police Department has been repeatedly notified of the issue according to Ann Arbor residents, but they say they only witness police officers simply pushing panhandlers along to new locations.
Residents say they're concerned about the reputation of their city especially for business opportunities, and hope for improvement in the future.
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