Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

New York to rein in tip seekers under new Times Square rules

By Reuters 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Jorge, an immigrant from Mexico, stands amidst other people, all dressed as the Sesame Street character Elmo, while they look to make tips for photographs in Times Square in New York

By Laila Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Elmos, Supermen and painted women of New York’s Times Square have little time left to roam free. On June 21 the city will corral them into special zones, set up to thwart aggressive behavior by tip seekers in the crowded Manhattan crossroads.

Advertisement

In keeping with the garishness for which Times Square is renowned, work crews on Thursday coated parts of the pavement in “techno-teal” paint to mark the “designated activity zones” where costumed characters, bus tour ticket sellers and other sidewalk solicitors will be confined while they ply their trade.

At present, they have free rein to operate in the area, slowing the flow of pedestrian traffic and annoying many of those who pass through Times Square.

“This is a step in the right direction,” said New York City Police Department Captain Robert O’Hare, who heads a new Times Square police unit in charge of enforcing the restrictions. “They’re constitutionally protected to perform out here, but there are rules, there are guidelines.”

Street performers and their advocates have come out against the rules, saying they will infringe their free speech rights and ability to earn a living.

The restrictions, approved by Mayor Bill de Blasio in April, come after a year of wrangling by local politicians and business owners who say tip-reliant performers have risen sharply in numbers and become more unruly in recent years.

“There was a history and a long record of people being very aggressive in approaching tourists,” said Tim Tompkins, president of area business group the Times Square Alliance.

In the past two years, incidents have included a Spider-Man punching a police officer and a topless performer, wearing only underwear and body paint, being arrested for drug possession and prostitution.

Oscar Rodriguez, 32, who works performing for tips as Batman’s nemesis The Joker, said the restrictions would make it more difficult for him to provide for his family.

“This is my job, it’s a good job,” said Rodriguez, who is originally from Colombia but now lives in the New York borough of Queens. “It will affect my family because I’ll have no money.”

The new rules will allow costumed characters to continue posing for pictures and hugs with passersby, but only if tourists approach them inside one of the eight zones measuring 8-by-50 feet that the city is setting up. O’Hare said he did not yet know what specific penalties violators would face.

Starting next week, city Department of Transportation workers will set up tables and hand out informational material about the Times Square rules. Signs marking the zones will also be put in place.

(Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Tom Brown)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC581DK-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC581DM-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Buffett rebukes Trump, questions his business skill
News
Reuters 3 min read

Buffett rebukes Trump, questions his business skill

Officer testifies van driver left detainee Freddie Gray unattended
News
Reuters 2 min read

Officer testifies van driver left detainee Freddie Gray unattended

Father of ex-investment banker avoids prison for insider trading
News
Reuters 2 min read

Father of ex-investment banker avoids prison for insider trading

Lagerfeld pays tribute to atelier seamstresses at Chanel show
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Lagerfeld pays tribute to atelier seamstresses at Chanel show

White House may create monument to gay rights: Washington Post
News
Reuters 2 min read

White House may create monument to gay rights: Washington Post

Actor Anton Yelchin of ‘Star Trek’ films dies in freak accident
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Actor Anton Yelchin of ‘Star Trek’ films dies in freak accident

Apple Corps is sued over Beatles’ 1965 Shea Stadium film rights
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Apple Corps is sued over Beatles’ 1965 Shea Stadium film rights

Special Report: ‘Massive’ breach exposes hundreds of new SAT questions
News
Reuters 8 min read

Special Report: ‘Massive’ breach exposes hundreds of new SAT questions

Mateen altered looks, researched anti-psychotic drugs before attack
News
Reuters 3 min read

Mateen altered looks, researched anti-psychotic drugs before attack

Joanna Hogg delves into the dark depths of her latest film, The
Entertainment
Ethan Blake 9 min read

Joanna Hogg delves into the dark depths of her latest film, The

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers