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NYPD Removes Barricades From Wall Street Bull

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- On St. Patrick's Day, Police Commissioner William Bratton vowed to free the Wall Street bull from his corral. More than a week later, he came through on that promise.

Police removed the barricades surrounding the Charging Bull sculpture on Tuesday.

NYPD Removes Barricades From Wall Street Bull

The bull had been penned in since September 2011, when police feared the sculpture would be targeted by Occupy Wall Street protesters. During one protest, demonstrators chanted, "Take the bull!"

The New York Police Department said security around the bull will be assessed on a day-to-day basis.

LINK: Charging Bull Webcam

The bull has long been popular with tourists who like to snap photos with the 31/2-ton bronze sculpture. On Wednesday morning, they were doing just that as uniformed officers stood by nonchalantly.

"I love the bull," one man said.

"The gates are gone, finally, after all this time," another man said.

"People flock to it, tourists flock to it, I think it's great," a veteran Wall Streeter said, adding the he might go over and pet the bull.

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