Earlier this week, the NYPD conducted what CBS characterized as an “impromptu meeting” with Times Square mascots in an effort to improve relations after a string of well publicized arrests. But according to the doomsdayers at the New York Post, it didn’t go as well as planned. Only nine characters showed up — CBS reported ten — and the tabloid says police felt they weren’t being taken seriously. Some attendees reportedly brought “an unidentified lawyer” — *gasp* — while others “refused dialogue” with the police.
José Escalona-Martinez, who was arrested last week for assault while dressed as Batman, told the Post he had good reason to miss the event.
“These cops disrespect us so much. They are aggressive and hassle us for no reason. Cops yell at us and say, ‘F–k you!’ so f–k them back. They say we are bad, but they can be bad too. So screw them” seethed Escalona-Martinez.
He said he had a good excuse for missing the NYPD meeting.
“I couldn’t go to the meeting on Wednesday because I was in jail for assault!” he said. “Police don’t do anything for us. They don’t respect us, so we can’t respect them.”
Some of the costumed characters said they worried attending the meeting could get them in more trouble with the police.
Earlier this week, the NYPD tweeted a photo of a woman dressed as Elmo in handcuffs. The bust was part of a sting operation coordinated by the department which involved multiple undercover officers dressed as tourists. (Photo: Bucky Turco/ANIMALNewYork)
