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Brooklyn Bridge 'white flags' stump police | Brooklyn Bridge 'white flags' stump police |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Authorities in New York are investigating who raised two large white flags on the towers of the Brooklyn Bridge early on Tuesday. | Authorities in New York are investigating who raised two large white flags on the towers of the Brooklyn Bridge early on Tuesday. |
The flags briefly flew atop two towers at either end of the landmark in the place of two American flags apparently removed by the perpetrators. | |
As many as five people were caught on CCTV on the bridge in the minutes prior to the switch. | As many as five people were caught on CCTV on the bridge in the minutes prior to the switch. |
Police officials said they would not treat the prank as a joke or statement. | Police officials said they would not treat the prank as a joke or statement. |
"We keep these things in perspective for what they are, but we also want to send a clear message that there will be an investigation," John Miller, deputy New York police commissioner for intelligence and counter-terrorism, told reporters. | "We keep these things in perspective for what they are, but we also want to send a clear message that there will be an investigation," John Miller, deputy New York police commissioner for intelligence and counter-terrorism, told reporters. |
"They will be prosecuted. We don't take these things lightly or as a joke or as art, or within the realm of speech." | "They will be prosecuted. We don't take these things lightly or as a joke or as art, or within the realm of speech." |
He said the incident would be treated as trespassing that endangered the perpetrators and others. | He said the incident would be treated as trespassing that endangered the perpetrators and others. |
"I'm not particularly happy about the event," Commissioner William Bratton said. | "I'm not particularly happy about the event," Commissioner William Bratton said. |
'Pre-operational planning' | 'Pre-operational planning' |
Mr Miller said security video showed four to five people crossing the bridge at 03:10 local time (07:10 GMT) on Tuesday. | |
Around 03:30, a light illuminating the American flag on the Brooklyn side of the bridge appeared to go out. The same occurred on the Manhattan side of the bridge around 03:42. | Around 03:30, a light illuminating the American flag on the Brooklyn side of the bridge appeared to go out. The same occurred on the Manhattan side of the bridge around 03:42. |
At 05:30, construction workers on the bridge noticed the American flags had been replaced with the white flags. | At 05:30, construction workers on the bridge noticed the American flags had been replaced with the white flags. |
Police officers trained to climb the bridge found two large flags - 20ft (6m) by 11ft - which appeared to be American flags with the red stripes and blue canton bleached white. | Police officers trained to climb the bridge found two large flags - 20ft (6m) by 11ft - which appeared to be American flags with the red stripes and blue canton bleached white. |
Two aluminium pans were also found affixed as covers to the lights beneath each flag. | Two aluminium pans were also found affixed as covers to the lights beneath each flag. |
The security gates under each tower were in place and remained locked when authorities arrived on scene. | The security gates under each tower were in place and remained locked when authorities arrived on scene. |
There was a "good deal of pre-operational planning" involved, Mr Miller said of the incident, noting the complexity suggested the perpetrators had "experience climbing, in construction or bridgework". | There was a "good deal of pre-operational planning" involved, Mr Miller said of the incident, noting the complexity suggested the perpetrators had "experience climbing, in construction or bridgework". |
But, he added, the incident appeared to have "no practical nexus to terrorism or even politics". | But, he added, the incident appeared to have "no practical nexus to terrorism or even politics". |
Authorities removed the white flags and are now searching social media for clues. | Authorities removed the white flags and are now searching social media for clues. |
More than 120,000 vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians and 3,100 bicyclists cross the Brooklyn Bridge every day, according to the New York Department of Transportation. | More than 120,000 vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians and 3,100 bicyclists cross the Brooklyn Bridge every day, according to the New York Department of Transportation. |
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