Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cops Guarding Wall Street Bull Doing Double Duty As Tourist Photographers
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 12, 2012
Modified Jun 12, 2012
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 .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 12, 2012
Modified Jun 12, 2012
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
Ever since the start of Occupy Wall Street Arturo Di Modica's famous Wall Street Bull on Bowling Green (technically "The Charging Bull") has been incredibly well protected by the NYPD from possible paint-throwers and lucky bull ball rubbers alike. So for months now, NYPD officers stationed by the statue have been doing double duty as protectors of the peace and personal tourist photographers. And though the protection around the bull has been lessened recently, DNAinfo reports that the cops there are still snapping pics.
Though the officer on duty wouldn't give his name, the site reports that he
accepted a steady stream of cameras from couples and families posing in front of the iconic statue Monday afternoon, urging tourists to "Smile!" before taking several shots of each group. The officer, who declined to give his name, gamely crouched down and adjusted camera angles to get a better picture. He also posed with children and several women and even allowed a few of them to try on his navy NYPD cap. "It's the public, so I've got to help them out," explained the officer, who did not give his name.
The officer further explained he was there to keep the tourists from spilling onto the streets—which was a concern of the local community board when the gates first went up. There is something a bit silly about a professional police officer essentially being assigned the job of shutterbug, but as one tourist pointed out, "This is the best way to show the other side of the NYPD. They're not bullies." At least not with tourists.
Tagged
nypd
ows
tourists
wall street
wall street bull
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Trump urged voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. In NY and NJ they listened.
Democrats relentlessly linked their GOP opponents to the Republican president.
By
Jon Campbell
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Walter Wuthmann
Published Nov 4, 2026 at 6:34 a.m. ET
Even in defeat, a reclusive NJ Republican remained secluded to the last vote
Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., known for refusing interviews and town halls, sequestered himself with supporters after losing the election.
By
David Brand
News
Even in defeat, a reclusive NJ Republican remained secluded to the last vote
Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., known for refusing interviews and town halls, sequestered himself with supporters after losing the election.
By
David Brand
Republican Jeff Van Drew concedes NJ congressional seat in surprise victory for Democrats
By
Mike Hayes
and
Karen Yi
NYC voters appear poised to approve outdoor dining, bike lane ballot measures
By
Giulia Heyward
Rebecca Bennett flips NJ Republican House seat for Democrats
By
Mike Hayes
,
Michael Sol Warren
and
Karen Yi
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 .