The borough of Brooklyn experienced two unusual episodes when separate groups of people were observed entering and exiting manholes at different locations. In each case the NYPD responded, local surveillance footage circulated online, and city officials cautioned the public about the risks of going into sewer infrastructure. Authorities have not announced any arrests and say their investigations are ongoing.
Video shared by neighborhood outlets documented one of the scenes, showing individuals emerging from a manhole and changing clothing near parked cars. The Department of Environmental Protection inspected the sewer at one site and reported no structural damage, while police said initial searches turned up nothing of concern. It remains unclear whether the two incidents are related.
What happened at the Gravesend location
According to the NYPD, in Gravesend a group of seven people entered the sewer system near McDonald Avenue and Colin Place at about 11 p.m. on Thursday and were later seen leaving the system close to 2 a.m. Surveillance footage published by a local outlet shows the people coming up from the manhole one at a time, then gathering beside two parked vehicles where they appear to remove soiled garments and clean themselves off.
Officers searched the immediate area and the underground passages and reported finding nothing suspicious. The NYPD’s precinct posted on social media that the neighborhood was “safe and free of hazards.” The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said it inspected the sewer infrastructure at the Gravesend site and found no damage to the system.
What happened in Williamsburg
At the borough’s other end, in Williamsburg, police say a separate group of eight people were observed entering a manhole near Heyward Street and Bedford Avenue at approximately 1 a.m. The NYPD reported that the group came out of the sewer later and then departed in a vehicle around 3:40 a.m. As with the Gravesend incident, no arrests were made and officers conducted searches that yielded no obvious hazards or evidence.
Witnesses and bystanders captured scenes near the Williamsburg location, and emergency responders established a visible police presence while working the area. Authorities have described the scenes as potentially hazardous but, so far, have not confirmed any criminal activity connected to the entries and exits.
Official statements and safety warnings
The city’s DEP issued a formal statement emphasizing that entering the sewer system is both illegal and dangerous. The agency reminded the public that sewers can contain noxious gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and other confined-space hazards that could be life-threatening. The DEP stressed that members of the public should never enter a pipe, drain, catch basin, manhole, or outfall.
The NYPD confirmed that officers inspected both locations and that preliminary checks found no damage or contamination. The 62nd Precinct’s social media post sought to reassure residents that the affected area in Gravesend was safe; similar statements were shared by police presence in Williamsburg after the response there.
Context and concerns
These episodes drew attention partly because they occurred in quick succession at opposite ends of Brooklyn and were captured on video, prompting questions about motive and method. While the two incidents happened about an hour apart, officials have not established a link between them. Investigators are treating the events as separate matters unless evidence indicates otherwise.
Public reaction has ranged from alarm to curiosity online, with commentators sharing footage and raising theories. City agencies and police urged caution, reiterating that sewers are critical infrastructure and that unauthorized access can endanger both the public and the integrity of the system. The DEP highlighted the need for coordination with public-safety partners to protect these facilities.
Ongoing investigation and safety takeaways
The NYPD continues to investigate both scenes, reviewing surveillance material and conducting follow-up checks. At this stage, investigators have not reported any injuries, arrests, or evidence of vandalism or damage to the sewer lines. The DEP’s inspection at the Gravesend site reportedly found the infrastructure intact.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the incidents to contact the NYPD. In the meantime, officials emphasize practical safety takeaways: do not approach open manholes, do not attempt to enter sewer openings, and report suspicious activity to emergency services. The combination of physical dangers in underground systems and the legal consequences of unauthorized entry make these areas especially risky.
Key facts recap
Seven people were observed entering and later exiting a manhole near McDonald Avenue and Colin Place; eight people were seen entering and leaving a manhole near Heyward Street and Bedford Avenue. Police searched both sites and found nothing hazardous; the DEP inspected one location and reported no damage. It is unknown whether the incidents are connected, and investigations are ongoing.
