January 16, 2008

Video shows security swooping on Empire State jumper

If you had any doubts about the effeciency of the security atop the Empire State Building, have a look at the video at the New York Post of the plain-clothes and uniformed security swooping down on the would-be parachutist in April.

Ten seconds into the clip, the would-be jumper is out the door to the observation deck; 13 seconds in the first "suit" grabs at him as he jumps toward the fence; at 21 seconds the jumper wriggles over the top of the fence and a second later, three "suits" have hold of him, pinning him up toward the outside of the fence; at 1:05 into the clip, a uniformed NYPD cop and a plain-clothes guy with a long pony tail grab hold of the jumper as well.

Jeb Corliss, who the Post elsewhere in a headline refers to as the "idiot jumper," planned to tape his "extreme jump" - with parachute -- for the Discovery Channel "Stunt Junkies" show, which later fired him for the stunt.

Empire State Building officials have filed a $12 million suit against Corliss, who in turn is suing them for $30 million for putting his life in danger by handcuffing him to the outer bars of the 86th floor observation deck.

There is also a 102nd floor observation deck, but it's entirely enclosed.

NewYorkology was recently in the Empire State Building offices of Human Rights Watch, where members of the staff pointed out that none of the windows have any sort of screens or bars, making it easy to open and go if one were so inclined. (However, to get into any of the ESB offices, you have to have an appintment and go through security.)

Their view:

January 16, 2008 08:54 AM in Architecture, Midtown, Sightsology

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