A bus company in New York City that offers a tour of an inner-city ghetto in the Bronx has suspended tours after being exposed in the New York Post on Monday.
The New York Post reports that the company, known as "Real Bronx Tours" would invite passengers, led by a tour guide to stare at people waiting outside a food pantry at a neighborhood church as well as gaze at a park that was once famous for having a large amount of crime. The company promised "a taste of the real Boogie Down Bronx."
The specific tour cost $45 per ticket and invited tourists to enter St. Mary's Park and advised them to "walk with a New Yorker" if they chose to enter it "maybe someone would pick your pocket" there.
After the tour was exposed in the New York Post, Bronx borough president, Ruben Diaz Jr., and City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito wrote an open letter to the company's owner, which said, "We are sickened by the despicable way in which you portray the great borough to tourists. We strongly urge you to stop profiting off of a tour that misrepresents the Bronx as a haven for poverty and crime, while mocking everything from our landmarks to the less fortunate members of our community who are availing themselves of food assistance programs."
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com