New York mayor to Times Square superheroes: Play by the rules – and prepare to be licensed
Posted Jul 28, 2014 04:47:26 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Cookie Monster may soon need a license.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that he believes the people wearing character costumes in Times Square should be licensed and regulated.
Dozens of people — dressed as kids’ favourites like Elmo, Cookie Monster and Batman — stand near 42nd Street and pose for photos with tourists in exchange for money.
De Blasio said the practice has “gone too far.”
A man dressed as Spider-Man was arrested Saturday after allegedly punching a police officer who told him to stop harassing tourists.
The City Council is working on legislation that would require the characters to get a city-approved license.
The mayor said even those dressed as superheroes have to “play by the rules or you won’t be working here any longer.”
