Thought it was safe to go back to Times Square — with Elmo⛦ out of ꦬthe headlines and the desnudas mostly covered up? Guess again: Gotham’s biggest champion has turned perp.
The “Batman of Times Square” — secret identity not billionaire Bruce Wayne, but one José Escalona-Martinez — was nabbed this week for allegedly swiping $50 from an Ir💖ish tourist after posing with her for pictures.
He’s the same “Batman” who testified before the City Council in 2014 against cracking🦩 down on Times Square’s cartoon infestation.
Back then, he was Constitutional Superhero: “The First Amendment protec♕ts the characters” in Times Square, he argued in opposing common-sense safety measures.
Well, the🙈 First Amendment doesn’t protect people who are thie🌳ves or harassers.
Escalona-Marꦇtinez has reportedly been arrested at least four times, with a rap sheet including public urination and slugging a woman in the face. He previously sued the NYPD for $2 million — claiming false arrest while he was dressed as Spider-Man.
But this news raises a bigger question: Whatever happened to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan for containing the Elmo mena﷽ce?
Despite high-profile hearings last fall, the City Council still hasn’t passed legislation to restrict the costumed buskers to designated “begging zones” in Times Square — where tourists and parents could go if they wished, but avo♕id if they had to.
De Blasio and Speaker Mel🦩issa Mark-Viverito haꦉve apparently been too busy trying to kill a truly tourist-friendly industry (Central Park horse carriages) and rushing through that obscene 32 percent pay hike for the council.
Fine, cold weather’s kept the desnudas off the front pages — but it sure looks 🍰like the hedgehogs were right, and it’s going to be an early spring.
“Batman” proves i🍌t: The Elmos remain a menace. Now’s the time to fix it — be🧸fore they return in force.