If you've ever been on Hollywood Blvd. you know that there are people that dress up as some of our favorite superheroes and take pictures with tourists in exchange for tips. For many of them, this is how they make a living. It's not just some sort of hobby. It's how they pay for their next meal. And now, well, they're getting their jobs taken away from them.
The LAPD has begun to clear the streets of all "Heroes". This week, several unlicensed costumed character were arrested. Spider-Man, Batman, and several others were detained in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater. The reason? LAPD received complaints form both tourists and shop owners saying that the costumed characters were "getting a bit more aggressive trying to get money and tips."
GeekTyrant had this to say:
"Maybe there are just way too many of these costumed characters out there and it was getting out of control so they are cleaning it up. Hopefully they leave the respectable people alone. Fact of the matter is there were some bad apples in the group and now it's effecting everyone. I would hate to see all of these people taken off the streets, they have been around for years, and have become a Hollywood staple. I think Tourists are expecting and wanting to see these people when they come to Hollywood, not see them being arrested."
Check out the video below from NBC Los Angeles, which shows Batman being arrested right after he was interviewed:
To get a better understanding of what these people go through, watch Confessions of a Superhero on Hulu. It gives you an inside look of the life of a Hollywood Blvd. Hero.
How do you guys feel? Do you think it's wrong or necessary?