Security gates get makeover to fight graffiti

Queens Courier wrote about the roll down gates press conference Senator Gianaris participated in.

New York City storefronts are getting a makeover.

Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., along with an alliance of Astoria’s small business owners, announced a new law that will gradually eliminate solid, roll-down gates at stores across the city. The law, which took effect on July 1, mandates that any gate that is being replaced or newly installed must permit at least 70 percent of the covered area to be visible. According to Vallone, the transparent gates, which cost approximately 10 percent more than solid ones, are stronger than their counterparts in many respects.

“See-through gates send a solid message – our communities will not tolerate graffiti and vandalism,” said Vallone, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. “This law not only helps our first responders, but in time will impact the look and feel of nearly every block in our city. We are now giving business owners a new tool to improve their communities at their own pace.” The councilmember emphasized that the new gates will not only beautify neighborhoods and increase the safety of police officers and firefighters, but they will also stimulate economic growth by allowing pedestrians to see into stores even after they have closed.

“No longer in New York will we see these disgusting, graffiti-riddled gates covering our businesses,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris, who represents Astoria. “We are going to see a much better landscape, especially in our business strips like Steinway.”

Read the full article here.