Among the new rules: No quarreling, giving away or selling live animals, nor handing out handbills.
View full sizeThe crowd of shoppers is constantly on the move during the July 23, 1009, Farmers Market at the Central New York Regional Market, in Syracuse.
Syracuse, NY -- If you’re looking to buy a cute kitten, you may not find it at the Central New York Regional Market anymore. Burning incense? That’s a no-no too. And don’t even think about making any public outcry on market grounds.
The rules
The Central New York Regional Market has established these rules of conduct:
1. Boisterous or disorderly conduct (e.g. quarreling) on the market area is prohibited.
2. No person shall make any public outcry.
3. No person shall commit or maintain a public nuisance.
4. No smoking or burning any materials (e.g. incense) are allowed inside the building.
5. No fireworks or anything illegal of that nature will be allowed on the premises.
6. No alcoholic beverages are permitted by vendors, customers or invitees unless the market grants permission.
7. No guns, firearm or ammunition are allowed on the premises without prior permission from the market.
8. No live animals may be given away or offered for sale unless permission is granted from the market.
9. No racist or pornographic materials are allowed.
10. Skating, roller blading or skateboarding is not allowed on market property. No bicycles are allowed on the retail section of the market.
11. There shall be no photographing or videotaping any individual or entity on market property without the subject’s consent.
12. No person shall distribute, scatter about or post on the market, any advertising pamphlets, cards, handbills or other printed matter without the market’s consent.
These rules of conduct were posted in May at the market at 2100 Park Street near Carousel Center. The market, which attracts about 40,000 people a week, holds a farmers market on Thursday and Saturday and a flea market on Sunday.
“We got the idea because if you go to the mall every entrance has a code of conduct,” said Ben Vitale, executive director of the market. “I didn’t want to get as extravagant as the malls but I wanted to post 10 or 12 rules to make it a better place to shop.”
Some people created safety hazards when they ignored deputy orders and continued skateboarding through market grounds, Vitale said. People selling pets also became a nuisance for some shoppers and vendors, he said. Those who continue to violate this rule could be removed from the market or possibly be arrested.
After several meetings last winter, regional market board members decided to address these issues by posting a code of conduct for vendors and customers. “Realistically, to operate the way we do, with the number of people we do, we have to really think about the rules we have — the things we can and can’t enforce,” Vitale said.
As summer arrives and more people shop at the market, Vitale says he hopes the new code of conduct will make the market a safer and more enjoyable place. “We’re excited,” Vitale said. “We love to see the facility that busy so we’re trying everything we can to make it a positive experience.”
Contact Lyndra Vassar at 470-2259 or lvassar@syracuse.com.