Council Votes to Regulate Costumed Characters

By KAT LLOYD

The New York City Council approved a bill on Thursday that would regulate, not ban, costumed characters from soliciting in Times Square and other pedestrian plazas around the city.

With Spiderman and The Penguin in attendance, THE Council granted the Department of Transportation authority to develop designated areas around the city, in a vote of 42 to one, with five members abstaining. The legislation was in response to several complaints by tourists of assault and aggressive panhandling by the characters.

“People should be able to walk through Times Square without being harassed,” said Councilman Corey Johnson. “We need to recognize licenses and registrations.”

The bill was proposed in August after Mayor de Blasio acknowledged the need to clear out crosswalks and pedestrian plazas, flooded with characters and topless women called desnudas In addition to the crowded walkways; several arrests were made last year to solicitors including, the Statue of Liberty, The Hulk, and Spiderman.

“Just Google your favorite character and ‘arrested in Times Square,’” said Councilman Dan Garodnick.

Abdel Amine Elkhezzani, a Spider-Man performer in Times Square, attended the meeting and said he would lose most of his business if he were confined to a specific zone.

“I will not be in these zones. If this bill is passed, I will take it to the Supreme Court,” said Elkhezzani. “They wait until the media are all gone, to get our point of view, and only show the negative side,” he added.

The bill was expected to take effect in May or June after the Department of Transportation finalizes its regulations.

The Penguin and Bruce Wayne were unavailable for comment.