Recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio approved a bill to bring order to the chaos of Times Square. This bill will help to control aggressive panhandling in the area, which usually includes people dressed up as characters from popular television shows asking to take pictures with people for tips.

The bill came into play after complaints from local residents. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, people complained, “they get into fights with each other. They grope people and they get arrested for assault and battery at an increasing rate.” This legislation gives the city Department of Transportation the power to restrict panhandlers to their defined zone. Times Square will be split into three zones: a civic zone for free-speech activities, approved concessions and permitted events, an area for people soliciting passersby and a final zone to allow for the flow of pedestrians.

Many of the costumed panhandlers were greatly disappointed by this legislature and do not plan to stay in the commercial zone as it will put them out of business. Much of the criticism for this bill comes from the idea that these low-wage workers may not be able to make ends meet if they face restrictions.

In order to enforce these laws, they have used laws such as eminent domain and made deals with major companies such as Walt Disney Co. During his term as mayor, Michael Bloomberg rerouted Midtown traffic to make room in the area for a pedestrian plaza, allowing some of the characters to work in this area. Others criticized the bill saying that it is legal for women to be topless in New York City. The bill does not seek to limit this right in any way, it just aims to limit the negative experiences tourists have been having in the area. Negative experiences for tourists hurts the tourism economy.

Essentially, the justification of the bill falls under the heading of helping the economy. Increasing negative experiences for tourists and New Yorkers in Times Square could create a huge drop in the money the area brings in. As Times Square is a major area in New York for raising tourist economy, any drop to revenue brought in could cause a major loss.

The legislature was passed 42-1, with Councilman Robert Cornegy saying it would make it more difficult for low-wage workers to make ends meet. "Don't knock the hustle," Cornegy says, in an attempt to justify his opposing vote.