Elected Officials & New Yorkers to Push for Regulation Against 'Aggressive' Costumed Characters in Times Square

The Times Square Alliance and elected officials will join people who've experienced aggressive solicitation and harassment on the Times Square plazas at a news conference on Monday, March 28th at 11:00 AM on Duffy Square, 46th Street and Broadway, to detail the need for the City to regulate pedestrian plazas and to recount their negative experiences with hawkers and hustlers in Times Square.

The New York City Council recently introduced legislation to give the NYC Department of Transportation the authority to manage and regulate pedestrian plazas throughout New York City. The bill, Intro 1109, will be the subject of a City Council public hearing on March 30th.

In a recent survey, 61% of Times Square employees reported experiencing a negative encounter with costumed characters or commercial solicitor, with 51% of those respondents saying that interaction made them feel unsafe.

For plazas in other neighborhoods, the legislation will make it easier for plaza partners to manage, program and activate plazas so they are true community assets.

At the press conference will be: Councilman Dan Garodnick, Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins, and New Yorkers and Times Square employees who have experienced the negative impacts of aggressive solicitation.

DATE: Monday, March 28, 2016

TIME: 11:00 AM

PLACE: Duffy Square

46th and Broadway

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