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Solid Storefront Security Gates Now Illegal in NYC

NY1

Solid roll-down security gates such as this are now illegal to install in New York City.

A new law to phase out solid, roll-down security gates on storefronts went into effect today.

Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. drafted the legislation that requires newly installed or replacement gates to allow for at least 70 percent visibility.

He said the new gates will improve safety conditions, allowing police officers or firefighters to clearly see into a location.

“First off, it opens up the appearances so people can shop even in the evening even after we are closed, and it just makes the neighborhood much more friendly,” said Arlin Owsley, general manager of Clear Wire.

“As you can see, it is often a canvas for graffiti,” said Vallone of older gates. “It is going to eliminate 75 percent of the graffiti in New York City, so those things are why the bill was passed, and it will really make a difference in the cityscape of the entire New York City.”

Store owners with existing solid gates do not have to replace them until 2026.

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7 Comments

  • Rafael V. Rabinovich

    so now vandals can breakmore expensive plate glass windows! a boon for the insurance industry, no?

  • late night shopping spree

    “First off, it opens up the appearances so people can shop even in the evening ……

    2nd of all, it allows for the easy breaking of glass, so people can shop even in the evening …..

    3rd of all, it will give the city a whole new audience for ticket target practice, forcing the shop owners who cannot replace their roll down protection to keep it up and open, so people can shop even in the evening ……

  • anonymous

    last time i checked, robberies were also illegal. that never stopped the robbers, but roll-down gates basically do.

  • Get a Job!

    Can someone please find these guys a job so that they don’t have time for this kind of nonsense!

  • Big Brother?

    I guess Peter Vallone never took business mananagement course. The last thing any business needs to be more successful is more regulation.
    Next thing you will hear is that business need to install intercom and video systems so that the gov’t (police and fire fighters) can check out that everything is OK.
    I never believed in the big brother conspiracy, but I am starting to see it in action.

  • JJ

    that is so stupid. now vandals can easily break glass

    whats next? burgler alarms illegal? closed circuit cameras illegal?