Can I see a license for that costume?
A person dressed as the character Puss in Boots uses a cell phone to take a photograph of tourists with other characters in New York's Times Square July 28, 2014.
The panhandler characters pose for tourists and work for tips, which can sometimes lead to disputes. A Spider-Man character was arrested July 26, 2014, for allegedly assaulting a police officer after an argument with a tourist over the amount of the tip.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he believes the people wearing character costumes in Times Square should be licensed and regulated. De Blasio said the practice has “gone too far.”
To read more see the latest from CBS News.
Questions over Times Square characters
Costumed street performers receive tips from the public after posing for pictures in Times Square in New York City July 28, 2014.
After a man dressed as Spider-Man allegedly punched a police officer in the face following a dispute over a tip, the Times Square Alliance is calling for strict licensing of costumed street performers.
Questions over Times Square characters
A woman argues with costumed street performers over tips after they posed for pictures in Times Square July 28, 2014.
Questions over Times Square characters
Costumed street performers pose with tourists for tips in Times Square July 28, 2014.
Questions over Times Square characters
Costumed street performers wait to pose with tourists for tips in Times Square July 28, 2014, in New York City.
Questions over Times Square characters
A Minnie Mouse character holds a small sign that she shows to tourists after she poses for photographs with them in New York's Times Square July 28, 2014.
Questions over Times Square characters
A person dressed as Cookie Monster works in New York's Times Square July 28, 2014.
Questions over Times Square characters
A person dressed as Mario pats a child on the head in New York City's Times Square July 28, 2014.
Earlier that day, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he believes the people wearing character costumes in Times Square should be licensed and regulated. De Blasio said the practice has “gone too far.”
Questions over Times Square characters
A Times Square visitor poses for photos with a woman dressed as Catwoman July 28, 2014.
That same day, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he believes the people wearing character costumes in Times Square should be licensed and regulated.
Questions over Times Square characters
A man dressed as the character Minion from the "Despicable Me" movies demands to be paid a tip after being photographed in Times Square in New York July 10, 2014.
Questions over Times Square characters
A man dressed as the character Spider-Man attempts to take a photo with a person walking in Times Square in New York July 29, 2014.
Questions over Times Square characters
A person dressed as the Sesame Street character Elmo walks through Times Square in New York City July 29, 2014.