NYPD Running License Plates, Examining Cellphone Transmissions, Collecting DNA in Brooklyn Bridge White Flags Investigation

[flowers]

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Brooklyn-Bridge-White-Flags-Investigation-Cellphone-Surveillance-Social-Media-DNA-268507692.html

Investigators are running license plate numbers, scouring social media, examining cellphone transmissions and collecting DNA as part of their investigation into who climbed the Brooklyn Bridge in the middle of the night to plant two bleached-white American flags there, NBC News has learned.

The flags were found fluttering early Tuesday from poles perched on the stone supports where two American flags are normally positioned. They were taken down by noon that day.



The high-quality flags, measuring about 11 feet about 20 feet, were made out of white linen, and the stars were individually stitched on, according to a senior law enforcement official. There were also large aluminum pans affixed over the bridge lights that normally illuminate the flags, secured with zip ties.

[flowers]

Makes you wonder what other security lapses are going on elsewhere.

[massadvj]

Catching these guys will do very little to alleviate the embarrassment at the security lapse which allowed this to happen in the first place.  Once they find the instigators I guess it will not occur to the police to thank the flag planters for exposing the soft underbelly that might have been exploited by a real terrorist.