Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

City Council Bans Solid Metal Roll-Down Gates

By

Ben Muessig

Published Dec 1, 2009

Modified Dec 1, 2009

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Photo by Joe Holmes.

 

By

Ben Muessig

Published Dec 1, 2009

Modified Dec 1, 2009

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

In an attempt to curb graffiti, the City Council voted unanimously yesterday to gradually ban solid metal roll-down gates from storefronts. Starting in July 2011, shopkeepers who install new security shutters will be required to purchase gates made mainly out of metal mesh or metal grilles. Supporters say the new gates will help protect police and firefighters by giving them the ability to see into stores when responding to potentially dangerous situations, while deterring graffiti writers who seem to prefer solid metal gates. Solid metal gates will be banned entirely by 2026.

The new gates retail for about $10,000 — an estimated 10 percent higher than the price of solid metal gates, according to NY1. But Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. says the new shutters are well worth the cash: "Our streets will no longer look like a graffiti strewn war zone after closing time," said the anti-graffiti politician, who has claimed that banning solid metal roll-down gates will reduce the amount of graffiti by 80 percent. "We pass many bills here at the Council but very few are like this one where we will actually see a concrete result where our city will be more beautiful and be safer."

Tagged

graffiti

peter vallone jr.

roll-down gate

roll gate

security

shutter

vandalism

Ben Muessig

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

Who is enforcing the MTA’s $3 bus fare? For the moment, no one.

The MTA has suspended its fare enforcement unit after a series of confrontations with riders. The NYPD said it won't step in to ensure riders pay.

By

Clayton Guse

and

Ramsey Khalifeh

Published Oct 29, 2026 at 1:13 p.m. ET

15-year-old boy shot and killed Thursday morning in the Bronx, NYPD says

The 15-year-old was shot once in the abdomen near Crotona Park and pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital, police said.

By

Charles Lane

News

15-year-old boy shot and killed Thursday morning in the Bronx, NYPD says

The 15-year-old was shot once in the abdomen near Crotona Park and pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital, police said.

By

Charles Lane

How NYC voters could determine outcome of race for governor

By

Jon Campbell

Early Addition: Is the Cheesecake Factory vs. the Amtrak buttercake our new culture war?

By

James Ramsay

Brooklyn woman hit and killed by garbage truck at Bay Parkway, NYPD says

By

Ryan Kost

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .