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The New York City Council approved a bill Thursday that supporters hope will bring order to Times Square, curbing aggressive panhandling that has been at the center of a yearslong political and cultural tug of war.

The measure comes after complaints jumped last summer about the growing ranks of costumed characters and topless women who seek tips from tourists in exchange for posing in photographs.

"They get into fights with each other. They grope people and they get arrested for assault and battery at an increasing rate," Councilman Daniel Garodnick said.

The legislation gives the city Department of Transportation the power to restrict the panhandlers—and more conventional users of Time Square—to defined zones across the bustling plaza.

The council acted as a small group of costumed panhandlers sat in the balcony and looked on. All were disappointed, and at least one was defiant. Abdel Amine Elkhezzani, dressed as Spider-Man, said the bill would put him and others out of business.

"I won't be placed in a zone," said Mr. Elkhezzani, 37 years old. "I'll be the first one arrested."

The transportation department now has the job creating the so-called special commercial zones. A report compiled last fall by Manhattan elected officials, community-board members and Times Square business owners suggested the area be divided into three legally-defined public spaces.

One would have so-called civic zones for free-speech activities, approved concessions and permitted events. A second space would accommodate those soliciting passersby. A third zone would allow the free flow of pedestrians.

The measure grew out of a task force created by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Some panhandlers dressed up as children's cartoon characters and others had been arrested for aggressive behavior, including assault.

Mr. de Blasio said last summer the tip-seekers should be regulated. He also initiated a crackdown on aggressive behavior.

"The women in Times Square, or the furry creatures in Times Square, are engaged in a business," he said in August. "I believe that opens the door for us to enforce the way we would with any other business."

A succession of New York mayors has worked to put their imprints on Times Square, where more than 300,000 tourists now visit daily.

Former Mayor Ed Koch used eminent domain to help rid it of peep shows; David Dinkins wooed companies such as Walt Disney Co. to move into the plaza, a transformative effort Rudolph Giuliani continued. Michael Bloomberg made the area into a pedestrian plaza, complete with movable tables and chairs, by rerouting Midtown traffic.

Mr. de Blasio sought to make his mark last summer after women, some wearing little other than body paint, began posing with tourists for tips. It is legal for women to be topless in New York City.

"As a human being and a parent, I don't think it's appropriate in the middle of one of the busiest squares in New York City that women should display themselves that way," he said in August.

The bill wasn't aimed at the topless women, said Councilman Corey Johnson, a Manhattan Democrat and co-sponsor of the measure. "They can be topless anywhere they want in public," Mr. Johnson said. "And this bill does not seek to limit that in any way."

Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, which backed the measure, said the area is an economic engine for the city. "If people repeatedly have negative experiences that are literally repeated with billions of media impressions then that hurts the tourism economy," he said.

The council voted 42-1 for the bill. Five members abstained.

"The council's legislation goes a long way toward making the experience better and more enjoyable for New Yorkers and tourists alike," said a spokeswoman for the mayor. Mr. de Blasio is expected to sign the legislation by the end of May.

Councilman Robert Cornegy, who voted against the bill, said city government shouldn't make it more difficult for low-wage workers to make ends meet. "Don't knock the hustle," he said.

Write to Mara Gay at mara.gay@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 08, 2016 01:05 ET (05:05 GMT)

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