If you’re a costumed performer in Times Square, you might soon be facing stricter regulations.
The president of the Times Square Alliance is considering asking costumed persons to register, to allow for more accountability. That includes all costumed characters, from Spider-Man to Woody. It’s finally happening: Superheroes must register with the “government,” like in Marvel’s Civil War.
The consideration comes after several allegations that the people behind the costumes were harassing onlookers. Most recently, a performer in a Spider-Man costume got a little too touchy with a woman. She flagged down police, and now the man is out on bail.
People, both in and out of costume, are advocating for registration. Under a mask it’s impossible to tell who’s behind it, therefore those individuals can commit a crime and get away before an identity can be verified. The idea is that by having people register, it will allow for more accountability and would attract individuals without criminal backgrounds.
Maybe if registrations are introduced, it will prevent Elmo from going off on an anti-Semitic tirade.
Photo via elPadawan/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)