Don’t get fooled by their looks. Some may look funny, annoying, and even sexy wearing nothing but body paint and to some extent, some may even come “religious.”
They are sweet street fraudsters or scam artists, panhandlers of chaotic Times Square. But beware, they are also in other areas in the US of A.
Panhandling is common. But what seems to be the common denominator for them is money that they would try to extract money from unsuspecting tourists or passersby.
Others would offer for a photograph and then ask for a tip, some would offer a free bracelet only to demand a small or obscene $50 donation later, while others are right on it, complete with a placard asking you to support his weed problems.
As such, the New York City Council approved a public ordinance intended to bring some order to Times Square by curbing too aggressive panhandling.
Featured photo and photos in-story: Times Square’s panhandlers. Photos by Benjamin Cuaresma
