NYPD Arrest Another Spider-Man During Times Square Crackdown

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more crazy with costumed New York City street-performers dressed as the web-head, the authorities have essentially said, “Enough is enough!” As reported by Reuters News Service, the NYPD have begun to get tough on costumed characters harassing soli money from tourists in an initiative called “Operation: Character Flaw.”

New York police have begun handing out fliers to tourists in Times Square telling them that tipping the costumed superheroes and children’s characters who pose for photographs is optional, and to call the 911 emergency number if they have complaints.

The fliers are part of an aggressive crackdown after a string of arrests of people dressed as characters who have gotten into confrontations with tourists or police, including one dressed as Spider-Man charged last month with punching a police officer who intervened in a tipping dispute.

“Tipping is optional,” the fliers say in capital letters, printed in five languages in partnership with the Times Square Alliance, which promotes area businesses. “If you have any complaints, talk to a police officer or call 911.”

Police said they arrested three more characters on Saturday, the first day the fliers were handed out: men dressed as Spider-Man, Iron Man and Elmo. Police also gave another man dressed as Iron Man a court summons.

All were charged with disorderly conduct for obstructing pedestrian traffic, while the man dressed as Spider-Man faces an additional charge of aggressive solicitation.

To be more specific on the “aggressive solicitation” charge, the “Spider-Man” in question,  William Suarez, 32, was “allegedly laying his hands on a potential mark,” along with “blocking pedestrian traffic.”

Two weeks earlier, New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, warned of this coming crackdown, along with proposed regulation of the Times Square costumed performers:

The mayor said he was working with members of the City Council to create rules that would include requiring the masked beggars to get licenses.

“I think this has gone too far and it’s time to take some real steps to regulate this new reality. It needs to be regulated,” de Blasio said. “Once we have regulation, we’ll be able to say: ‘Play by the rules or you won’t be working here anymore.’

DeBlasio added: “It’s not appropriate for anyone to demand a certain amount of money from a passing tourist and harass them.”

Of course, some of the street performers are not the least bit happy with this outcome, and argue that it’s a threat to their livelihood:

“Since that Spidey hit the cop, police have been hassling us.” a different Spider-Man complained Saturday night.

“They [police] are ruining the business,’’ said the 29-year-old, who refused to give his name, but said that he’s from Morocco.

Buzz Lightyear added his two cents: “We’re not stealing from people.’’ he said. “We just want to see them smile.’’

Nana Ray, aka Minnie Mouse, agreed, saying of the flyers, “They’re a disgrace. I have a 9-month-old baby to support.”

However, tourists to the “Big Apple” appear to be happy the police are finally getting involved and are satisfied with the results:

Daniela Maia and Tiago Maia, husband and wife from Brazil, accepted a flier from police as they crossed the road with their infant son at West 44th Street and Broadway. Ms. Maia said the initiative was both “interesting and helpful.”

“I thought it was a law that you had to pay,” she said.

Officers from the Manhattan South Patrol Borough, the Transit Bureau and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey were assigned to take part in the initiative. Officers planned to hand out more fliers on Monday, said an NYPD officer involved in the initiative.

The officer said most people receiving the fliers seemed pleased to learn they weren’t obligated to hand over any money.

“A lot of people were happy to find out they didn’t have to tip,” said the officer, who asked to remain anonymous because he isn’t authorized to speak on behalf of the department. He said tourists had been largely under the mistaken belief that tipping the characters was mandatory.

Welcome to the real life Marvel Comics “Civil War,” ladies and gentlemen!

Sources: Reuters, New York Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News, and PIX 11 News.