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U.S. NEWS Monday 23 deceMber 2019
Times Square characters head

to Rock Center for the holidays

By SABRINA CASERTA brushed by the characters She turned around to see
NEW YORK (AP) — Visitors on his way to see the tree the Minnie Mouses gath-
headed for Times Square as someone else politely ered around a little girl. "It's
have long been bedazzled declined a photo opportu- nice," she said. "Plus the
by thick crowds, bright nity. ones down here have noth-
lights, and a cadre of cos- "Don't do it!" Saverino ing on the ones in Times
tumed characters who si- shouted. "It'll cost you $100." Square. They're ruthless
dle up to tourists, pose with "I'm from around here," over there. Here, they're In this Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019 photo, a costumed character,
them for pictures, then per- Saverino said. "So I know much more polite and re- right, tries to convince a passerby to stop and snap photos to-
sistently pressure them for the deal. These guys are spectful." gether for money, in Times Square, N.Y.
tips. predatory. If you wanna "I know the kids love it," an- Associated Press
Complaints about the take pictures with people, other parent, Starr Grill, who
sometimes aggressive be- then let them come to you. was visiting from Maryland, ers have the right to regu- tion. Police have also been
havior of the performers Don't go running up to peo- said after her 11-year-old late what vendors and cracking down since the
prompted the city in 2016 ple and touching them." daughter posed with Mick- performers can operate New York Post wrote this
to passed a law relegating After a Times Square Elmo ey and Minnie. "It's all a part and solicit money in the month about the drift of
the Times Square charac- was arrested in September of that New York charm. It's complex of art deco office the characters to Rock-
ters to 8-by-50 foot "activ- for grabbing a 14-year-old what you come here for, buildings, retail space, ar- efeller Center. A performer
ity zones" where they might girl's buttocks as she posed really. Because it's true that cades and outdoor public dressed as the Grinch was
annoy fewer people. for a photo with him, Mayor no other city compares." plazas. issued a summons Dec. 12,
Now, with the holiday sea- Bill De Blasio promised strict- Unlike Times Square, Rock- That has tended to push accusing him of getting in
son in full swing, some of er enforcement to ensure efeller Center is a privately the costumed characters the way of pedestrians on
the costumed superheros, harassment wouldn't hap- owned space whose own- a little farther from the ac- the packed sidewalk. q
Muppets and Disney char- pen again, but didn't out-
acters have headed to the line how he'd do so.
equally crowded environs On a recent Sunday, three
around Rockefeller Cen- Minnie Mouses and one
ter and its iconic Christmas Mickey Mouse character
tree. roamed the sidewalks out-
The scene on a recent side Rockefeller Center.
weekend was a familiar Each politely declined to
one, though absent the be interviewed.
activity zones that keep the Some passersby defended
characters penned in. them as harmless and fun.
"All right, smile," one dad "I work down here, right by
said as he snapped a pic- Rockefeller Center, and
ture of his two girls stand- I think they should be al-
ing with Minnie and Mickey lowed to take pictures
Mouse on Fifth Avenue. wherever they want," said
After he pulled out his wal- Jen Radin, who was ac-
let and handed over a few companied by her son
dollar bills, he was greeted and daughter. "Maybe not
by grumbling from Mickey during the week because
that this wasn't enough, it forms crowds, and it's al-
because there were two ready hard enough to walk
characters in his picture, around here. But on the
not one. weekends, I don't see a
Ed Saverino, of New Jersey, problem."