Traffic on Broadway slowed to a crawl Thursday morning as police negotiated with a jumper on the seventh floor ledge of the apartment building at 2341 Broadway on the corner of 85th Street.
The incident began after 10 a.m. The woman, dressed in a black t-shirt and black spandex tights, shifted positions on the ledge and at one point kicked off her white sneakers, which dropped to the street. Dozens of passers-by gathered below and police blocked off 85th Street and parts of Broadway. The crowd chanted “we love you” to the woman before police silenced them. Police set up an inflatable pad on 85th Street in case she jumped.
A police officer entered the building and leaned out a nearby window talking to the woman. Around 11:55 a.m. she returned inside, to the great relief of the crowd below. People clapped. One woman began crying.
Said one guy in the crowd: “Life is short enough…why you want to make it shorter?”
Life quickly went back to normal. Traffic picked up. The crowd dispersed. And filming began again on the Amazon show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel a block away.
Photos by Tom.
If you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Johnny on the Spot Class Act Reporting Relieves Upper Westsider! Thanks to WSR I was able to relieve my 87 yr friends old concern for this womans safety. He was on the bus and passed the scene. Hurrah for our Police Force whose good work saved a life of a distressed neighbor.
Heart goes out to the woman on the ledge. We all have difficult days.
Back in the 50s, I think it was, there were instances (not necesarrily on the UWS) of crowds yelling “jump, jump!”
Just out of curiosity, why did the police silence the people who were shouting “We love you.” I would imagine that would be helpful, so I really am curious.
And a thousand cheers to our nabe and our city to not be the kind to shout “jump.”
Cops said it was making it hard for woman to hear the police negotiator
i would guess that they don’t want to stimulate anyone yelling anything. they are trying to control the situation and you never know what could set a distressed person off into jumping. but i hear you it seems like a good thing.
It so sad that someone thinks their life has so little meaning that suicide is justified. It is great that UWS residents supported her. It reminds me of when L’wren Scott committed suicide. Some brilliant fashion designer said that we have all these superficial relationships but no real friend to call when we have really serious issues we need help with. I hope this person has the aftercare that is necessary for her to heal. We should all be there for her
Committing suicide is not about “life having so little meaning.” Committing suicide can be driven by many things, but it is often about experiencing an acute level of pain. While I doubt you meant any harm, this is probably the number one issue for which spreading misinformation is hurtful.
I was there today and it was both inspiring and shocking. The support some were giving the woman was wonderful but it was disappointing to see so many people snapping photos and taking video. This woman likely has mental health issues and is not a side show production.
David you are so right.As a former NYPD cop let us do the job we get paid to do.We are well trained and most of the time there is a good ending.