Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Man Climbs Lamppost In Times Square, Stops Traffic


By

Garth Johnston

Published Jun 28, 2011

Modified Jun 28, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Man on pole!

 

Maureen Pitz


By

Garth Johnston

Published Jun 28, 2011

Modified Jun 28, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

201106_manonpoleSM.jpg
The scene in Times Square earlier today (Derek Garlington's lockerz).

Sometimes you wake up in the morning and decide what you really want to do is climb a lamppost in Times Square and shut down traffic, right? At least that appears to be what one man in a red shirt did earlier this morning from around 9:30 a.m. till 11:15 a.m. when he simply climbed down.

Police responded to the scene with a heavy presence "including officers on top of an NYPD emergency service vehicle talking to the man. An inflatable fire balloon was put in place under the pole, in case the man fell or jumped." But it wasn't necessary as he climbed down of his own volition before being handcuffed and taken into police custody.

A man on the street told DNAinfo that the climber was a rapper trying to promote a CD, but didn't know what the album was called. Maybe, however, he was just trying to plank on the lampost? It wouldn't be the first time. Does Times Square need no planking signs?

Tagged

lamppost

nypd

planking

strange promotions


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases

Two people who were found soaking wet and smelling of sewage say they went underground to look for jewelry, according to police and a criminal complaint.

By

Charles Lane

Published Oct 23, 2026 at 7:49 p.m. ET


6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens

The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.

By

Charles Lane

News

6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens

The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.

By

Charles Lane


Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime

By

Carol Chen

Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park

By

Ramsey Khalifeh

Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker

By

Brittany Kriegstein


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .