As seen in the NY Times, New York City’s storefront security gates have been the “unnoticed wallpaper of New York at night.” While the gates are often defaced by graffiti, they have served to protect the valuables that hide behind their metal shield. However, last week, the City Council passed legislation limiting, and in some cases, banning their use.
The bill, which passed unanimously, applies to almost every storefront business and is intended to deter graffiti, to beautify neighborhoods and to help law enforcement and firefighters see inside stores when needed. Businesses with existing gates will have until July 1, 2026 to install new gates that conform to the law. Acceptable gates will allow at least 70 percent of the area they cover to be visible. Any gates installed after July 1, 2011, must comply with the new requirements. Read the full article here.
