Two large white flags, possibly indicating a complete surrender to the forces of gentrification, have been spotted atop the Brooklyn Bridge. Several tipsters have sent us photos of the flags, which upon closer inspection appear to be whitewashed or weathered American flags. So maybe it's America that's "over," not Brooklyn?

One passerby, Rick Bruner, says, "I ride my bike over most every morning and the normal flags are not faded, so this is definitely something different. I didn’t know if it was for a protest or a movie?"

A DOT spokesperson referred us to the NYPD. An NYPD spokesperson says, "We're looking into some possible incident with the flag that's on the bridge. We don't know yet, we're waiting for information from units that responded." Jasper Johns better have an airtight alibi.

Carolyn Nadler, a Brooklyn Heights resident, said a cop told her that police thought the flag was part of a film shoot. Now they're not so sure. A major film shoot has been happening under the Brooklyn Bridge this week, but so far it doesn't appear to be connected. We'll update as we find out more.

Update 11:03 a.m.: Police have closed the pedestrian walkway and restricted motor vehicle traffic to the bridge. The flag on the Manhattan-side of the bridge has been taken down. REPEAT: one flag has been captured.

seriously? MT @kevindepew: At the least police are folding up the white surrender flag in a respectful manner. pic.twitter.com/JbtRxrc4i7 — Sam Ro (@bySamRo) July 22, 2014

Update 11:29 a.m.: Both flags have now been removed. Here's EXCLUSIVE video of the moment when cops captured the last flag. Game over:

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has this message for whomever is behind the stunts. "If flying a white flag atop the Brooklyn Bridge is someone’s idea of a joke, I’m not laughing," Adams said in a statement. "The public safety of our city is of paramount importance, particularly our landmarks and bridges that are already known to be high-risk targets. We will not surrender our public safety to anyone, at any time. Political and social expression, whatever its message may be, has a place in our society, but not at the expense of others’ security. I am confident in the NYPD’s ability to investigate this matter."

And here's 5 minutes of the NYPD's steep climb to go capture the Brooklyn side flag:

With Jen Chung and Jeva Lange.