A subject close to my heart! I've ben busking and gigging using Cologne as my base for over twenty years. On the whole, it's the local business community who give the police their instructions - and the police just have to do as they are told. Over the years the police have been less of a problem than drunks, bossy shopkeepers and oafs who drown you out after you have started, by playing loud, (often amplified) music too close to you.If we are going into this lifestyle, we should have some respect for each other. Toronto sounds wonderful. I have mixed feelings about Rick's and the other comments on licences.The principle that we are not bossed around by the suits is always going to be to my liking. On the other hand, there is a system operated in some Swiss towns which I have some regard for. You buy a licence from the local police station on a first come first served basis.This tends to keep the place free of the "beggars with instruments" syndrome.That always screws up busking scenes. If we ask for money, we should offer good entertainment.