Which came first?

Ever since some kids climbed up to the
top of the Brooklyn Bridge one
night and painted the American flag white,
there's been a constant police presence up there.  

So I wonder where they were when someone
tiptoed out across a girder over the
roadway (think Meg Ryan in Kate and Leopold)
and tied those balloons to a cable at the edge.
I also wonder whether all that caution tape
was put at that spot before or after they were added.

[To see more Monday Mellow Yellow posts, go here.]