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Port Authority calls World Trade Center parachute jump a 'lawless and selfish act'

Associated Press
Published | Updated

James Brady, left, and Andrew Rossig, right, two parachutists who jumped from One World Trader Center in September 2013, are accompanied by attorney Timothy Parlatore to surrender to police, in New York, Monday, March 24, 2014. Monday's arrests come eight days after a 16-year-old was arrested on charges of climbing up to the top of the nation's biggest skyscraper. Police had no immediate information on Monday's arrests. They had said they were looking for two parachutists seen floating near the building Sept. 30. The defense attorneys say three accused jumpers and an alleged accomplice on the ground are expecting to face felony burglary charges. The attorneys say the defendants are experienced BASE jumpers, the acronym stands for "building, span, antenna, earth." The lawyers say the men took care to keep from endangering anyone. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (The Associated Press)

James Brady, and Andrew Rossig, foreground left and right, two parachutists who jumped from One World Trader Center in September 2013, are accompanied by attorneys Timothy Parlatore, background left and Andrew Mancilla, to surrender to police, in New York, Monday, March 24, 2014. Monday's arrests come eight days after a 16-year-old was arrested on charges of climbing up to the top of the nation's biggest skyscraper. Police had no immediate information on Monday's arrests. They had said they were looking for two parachutists seen floating near the building Sept. 30. The defense attorneys say three accused jumpers and an alleged accomplice on the ground are expecting to face felony burglary charges. The attorneys say the defendants are experienced BASE jumpers, the acronym stands for "building, span, antenna, earth." The lawyers say the men took care to keep from endangering anyone. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (The Associated Press)

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has condemned the parachute jump off 1 World Trade Center last fall by four skydiving enthusiasts as a "lawless and selfish act that clearly endangered the public."

The agency said in a statement released early Tuesday that one of the jumpers was a construction worker at the site.

The Port Authority, which owns the trade center site, says "the spirit of respect and reverence for this sacred site" was violated.

Four men were arrested Monday in connection with the "base jumping" on Sept. 30. They were arraigned on charges of burglary, reckless endangerment and misdemeanor jumping from a structure.

Police Commissioner William Bratton says "being a thrill-seeker does not give immunity from the law."