Times Square is a known public space in New York City, where a variety of street performers and costume-artists flock to do their business and give some fun to the local and international tourists. This way of doing business has gone far, prompting the city officials to pass a bill that restricts costumed.
On Thursday, the New York City Council designated eight "activity zones" where the Times Square performers can do their business. The activity zones are a size of a city bus, where the costumed artists and characters can solicit for tips in return for posing for photographs.
"People should be able to walk through Times Square without being harassed and harangued," said Mr. Johnson, a Democrat.
Mayor Bill de Blasio's spokesperson said that he is supporting the proposal but have not yet signed the bill.
The City Council voted to allow the transportation department to create new rules on the area's pedestrian plazas. The proposal restricts costumed characters and some painted women to specific activity zones, and creates a separate flow zones for pedestrians.
The bill was proposed due to complaints and allegations of harassment done by the performers to tourist. Increased incident of violence and negative behavior of some costumed characters scattered around the Times Square raises concern over the area where aggressive tip solicitation of some topless women also occur.
In 2014, a man in a Spider-Man suit punched an officer in the face; other characters have been accused of using explicit language. Since January, 16 costumed artists had been charged with crimes, assault, forcible touching and aggressive soliciting, said police.
On Thursday, several of the Times Square costumed characters rallied to the Council Chambers to defend their profession.
"We go up to people and interact with them and entertain them and kind of convince them to take pictures with us," said Abdel Amine Elkhezzani, one of the performers in Times Square wearing a Spiderman costume.
The costumed characters also cite their First Amendment Rights.
The move of passing the bill also aims to restore the plaza's gleaming atmosphere, which was transformed from its old features back in the 80's to a family-friendly tourist spot in New York. The Times Square was also once known for its sex shops, street crimes, and cavernous movie theaters.
"It really is a compromise to recognize that there are people earnestly earning a living, but also that there's been some real problems that just like any other commercial activity you need to regulate it," said Tim Tompkins of Times Square Alliance.
The bill will have its 30-day public commenting period after the formal proposal of rules. The implementation of the rules will take effect by May or June.
Photo: Scott Teresi | Flickr
