tourist traps

Even the Times Square Characters Are Moving to Brooklyn

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 28: Costumed street performers receive tips from the public after posing for pictures in Times Square on July 28, 2014 in New York City. In the latest incident involving the often aggressive characters, a man dressed as Spider-Man allegedly punched an officer in the face over the weekend following a dispute with a woman over a tip, police have said. The Times Square Alliance is now calling for strict licensing of costumed street performers. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Taking operations to the end of the F line. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Costumed characters of Times Square are taking advantage of tourist season in New York City by finding some new people to hassle, this time on Coney Island. The Brooklyn Paper reports that off-brand Spongebobs and Spider-men are flooding the Boardwalk following a crackdown around 42nd Street. As at their midtown haunt, the characters are apparently trying to get people to pose for pictures, panhandling, and offending people with their gross costumes. “I don’t come to the Boardwalk to hang out with inaccurate versions of characters,” one person told the paper. The Coney Island Alliance is looking into complaints from locals, but until then, watch out on that Nathan’s line.

Times Square Characters Invade Coney Island