Pictures from the Blackout

By Keith Boykin, in politics
Friday, August 15 2003, 10:03PM

a line forms in HarlemArmed with a digital camera, I walked the streets of Harlem during the city's first blackout in 25 years. It was a long, hot day but Harlem residents took it all in stride. Here now are the images from the blackout.

The blackout struck on one of the hottest days of the year. The boys on the streets stripped off their shirts.The blackout struck on one of the hottest days of the year. The boys on the streets stripped off their shirts. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)












A man on the street covers his head with a towel and licks a frozen beverage to cool down.A man on the street covers his head with a towel and licks a frozen beverage to cool down. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)


















The early traffic after 4 o'clock was not that bad.The early traffic after 4 o'clock was not that bad. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)








A cyclist maneuvers his way through the early traffic without traffic lights.A cyclist maneuvers his way through the early traffic without traffic light. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)








Workers and visitors flee from Harlem Hospital after the blackout hit. The hospital, one of the only places with light in the evening, operated under emergency lighting throughout the night.Workers and visitors flee from Harlem Hospital after the blackout hit. The hospital, one of the only places with light in the evening, operated under emergency lighting throughout the night. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)








When it became clear that the blackout was likely to last for awhile, local residents ran to the corner stores to stock up on ice.When it became clear that the blackout was likely to last for awhile, local residents ran to the corner stores to stock up on ice. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









Without lights, many stores closed their doors and catered to customers through bullet-proof windows.Without lights, many stores closed their doors and catered to customers through bullet-proof windows. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)











A line formed at a corner store on Fifth Avenue in Harlem.A line formed at a corner store on Fifth Avenue in Harlem. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









Off duty police officers and undercover cops came out of the woodwork to direct traffic at busy intersections like this one at 135th and Fifth Avenue.Off duty police officers and undercover cops came out of the woodwork to direct traffic at busy intersections like this one at 135th and Fifth Avenue. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)








An undercover police officer directs traffic at 135th and Fifth Avenue.An undercover police officer directs traffic at 135th and Fifth Avenue. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









A uniformed police officer directs traffic at 135th and Fifth Avenue. He's holding up a gun, walkie talkie, flashlight, gloves, baton, helmet, handcuffs, ticket pad and bottle of water.A uniformed police officer directs traffic at 135th and Fifth Avenue. He's holding up a gun, walkie talkie, flashlight, gloves, baton, helmet, handcuffs, ticket pad and bottle of water. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)













Film crews swooped down on the streets to cover the chaos.Film crews swooped down on the streets to cover the chaos. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









A local news satellite truck sets up at 135th and Lenox.A local news satellite truck sets up at 135th and Lenox. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)












A satellite truck sets up at 125th and Lenox. A satellite truck sets up at 125th and Lenox. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









Without subway service, crowds line up at 125th and Lenox for a bus.Without subway service, crowds line up at 125th and Lenox for a bus. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









The buses were crowded.The buses were crowded. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









Passengers stuffed themselves into the buses.Passengers stuffed themselves into the buses. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









A pedestrian flags down a police car to report an accident.A pedestrian flags down a police car to report an accident. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)









Within moments of the first accident, another accident took place a few feet away at the same intersection.Within moments of the first accident, another accident took place a few feet away at the same intersection. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)







Crowds gather in the street to watch the emergency crews tend to the accident victim.Crowds gather in the street to watch the emergency crews tend to the accident victim. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)






Undeterred by the accident, traffic continues past the bleeding victim lying on the street.Undeterred by the accident, traffic continues past the bleeding victim lying on the street. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)






World famous Sylvia's soul food restaurant shut down and a crowd gathers to sit down on chairs.World famous Sylvia's soul food restaurant shut down and a crowd gathers to sit down on chairs. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)













Hot boys on the street. Maurice, Sean and Will on their way down Lenox Avenue.Hot boys on the street. Maurice, Sean and Will on their way down Lenox Avenue. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)











After the blackout, Fairway grocery store in Harlem reopened on Friday and posted this notice.After the blackout, Fairway grocery store in Harlem reopened on Friday and posted this notice. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)