A person dressed as Elmo shakes hands with a pedestrian in Times Square on Monday, July 28, 2014 in New York.
Associated Press
New York:
Cookie Monster may soon need a license.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday 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."
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday 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."
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