NYPD ready for confusion over naked street art

If you happen to spot what looks like a naked man on the ledge of a building in midtown Manhattan, you can call the police if you want. They promise to respond.

But there may be another explanation. Police Tuesday said 31 statues are being placed in the next several days on or in front of Manhattan buildings as part of an arts project.

The Madison Square Park Conservancy, a nonprofit arts group that aims to get the public "to interact with the art," is placing the statues as part of an "Event Horizon" project. One statue was set on top of 204 Fifth Ave. Tuesday.

The statues, made of cast iron or fiberglass, are said to be likenesses of English sculptor Antony Gormley, said police spokesman Paul Browne. Some will be placed Wednesday at 184 and 245 Fifth Ave., 928 and 1133 Broadway and 304 Park Ave. S. One is to go atop the Flatiron Building, another on the 25th floor setback of the Empire State Building.

Browne said police are anticipating some calls from the public about possible suicide jumpers. Police will respond to be on the safe side.