Reilly Continues Natarus War Against Street Performers

By Prescott Carlson in News on May 15, 2009 7:10PM

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd) has taken up the mantle of his predecessor Burt Natarus in the crackdown on street performers. For years Natarus tried to get them -- especially the "bucket boys" -- to pipe down, and introduced two ordinances towards the end of his career. The first -- which sought to ban street performers entirely -- met with charges of "urban cleansing" so the second time around, instead of bans, Natarus requested license fees, noise limits, and control of where performing was permitted. That version made it into law.

Reilly wants to take the ordinance to the next level by increasing penalties for violations. He's proposing a change to the current rule that revokes a performer's license after three citations -- Reilly wants to make it two within one year. He says it's not just about an annoying noise, but it's a public safety issue as well:

"There is a criminal element. Some crews use their performance merely as a distraction to lure unsuspecting tourists. And there are people in those crews who are tasked with reaching into people's shopping bags, purses or wallets to make off with their valuables," Reilly said, noting some drummers have "lengthy criminal records."

Also, the few street performers with actual talent that draw a crowd can be forced to move at least two blocks away if police deem the crowd an obstruction. [S-T]