Tourist who climbed Brooklyn Bridge due in court; New security measures in place

BROOKLYN (WABC) -- The Russian tourist who climbed to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge and took pictures was back in court Friday, and he was offered a plea deal by prosecutors.

Yaroslav Kolchin, 24, appeared briefly at a hearing, where prosecutors offered to reduce the charge to misdemeanor trespassing. No agreement was reached, and Kolchin, who is out on bail, will return to court on September 19.

Prosecutors asked for a 90-day jail sentence under the plea, but the judge suggested community service.

"We are going to work with the district attorneys office in order to resolve this matter expeditiously," Kolchin's attorney said after the appearance.

Kolchin did not comment.

He is charged with multiple offenses after the climb on Sunday.

Authorities say Kolchin was part of a tour group visiting the city, staying at a Manhattan hotel. The rest of the group has since returned to Russia.

Prosecutors said his arrest required a "high allocation of resources." He posed a danger to the high volume of pedestrians gathered who passed beneath him on a warm and sunny afternoon, they said.

It is the second security breach at the bridge in the past month.

In July, two German artists scaled the bridge and replaced two American flags with white flags, claiming it was a form of artistic expression.

Following the breaches, the NYPD is implementing new security measures on all four bridges along the East River.

Barriers will be added around bridge gates, and police patrols will be modified.

Officers climbed and evaluated each span Thursday.