Mayor: Times Square characters should be licensed

NEW YORK (AP) — 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’ favorites 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.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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