'Zorro' swings his sword on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, moments before Los Angeles Police officers approach him, telling him to leave. (KTLA-TV / June 2, 2010) |
HOLLYWOOD -- Batman, Superman, Shrek and a host of other costumed super heroes and cartoon characters have apparently been given the boot from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
According to LAPD officials, tourists and other visitors to Hollywood Blvd. in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater complained of being accosted by overzealous costumed movie characters who pestered them for tips after having pictures taken with them.
Over the weekend, LAPD officers conducted a code enforcement detail on Hollywood Blvd. regarding tips for service and operating without a business permit.
Approximately 8 of the costumed characters were arrested. Others were cited and told to leave the area.
A man portraying Zorro told KTLA that the L.A. City Council voted to ban the cartoon character business after receiving scores of complaints. KTLA contacted a city council member who said he knew nothing about the ban.
Those who regularly don costumes on the Walk of Fame say some characters may be giving them a bad name.
"It's possible that some of the characters are a little aggressive," Tony Toney, or The Dark Knight, told KTLA.
"Those type of people don't really belong out here," added Christopher Dennis, who portrays Superman.
LAPD says they will continue to enforce the ban when they have the resources available.
According to LAPD officials, tourists and other visitors to Hollywood Blvd. in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater complained of being accosted by overzealous costumed movie characters who pestered them for tips after having pictures taken with them.
Over the weekend, LAPD officers conducted a code enforcement detail on Hollywood Blvd. regarding tips for service and operating without a business permit.
Approximately 8 of the costumed characters were arrested. Others were cited and told to leave the area.
A man portraying Zorro told KTLA that the L.A. City Council voted to ban the cartoon character business after receiving scores of complaints. KTLA contacted a city council member who said he knew nothing about the ban.
Those who regularly don costumes on the Walk of Fame say some characters may be giving them a bad name.
"It's possible that some of the characters are a little aggressive," Tony Toney, or The Dark Knight, told KTLA.
"Those type of people don't really belong out here," added Christopher Dennis, who portrays Superman.
LAPD says they will continue to enforce the ban when they have the resources available.
