New York City is facing resistance on a new law that will require businesses to replace their solid roll-down security gates with those that are more transparent.
Starting July 1, business owners will have to comply with Local Law 75: Replacement of security gates, which was initially passed by the City Council in 2009. It requires businesses who use metal roll-down security gates to protect their store with a version of a gate that is, at minimum, 70% transparent.
With the deadline quickly approaching, there is some resistance from local leaders and businesses, according to The New York Times. One City Council member is drafting a measure that would require only new installations of security gates to meet this new transparent standard.
Randolph Peers, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, told The Times that many businesses forgot about the law, since it has been 17 years since it was passed. Peers added that, with new installations, businesses weren’t advised to be in compliance ahead of the upcoming requirement.
According to The New York Times, many business owners learned about the law going into effect after the city Department of Buildings issued a leaflet detailing which security gates are acceptable after July 1.
Local leaders said they are aiming to give businesses more time to comply with the law.
After July 1, fines and violations may be issued for businesses who are still using the metal roll-down security gates.
The New York Times reported that fines start at $250 for non-compliance.
And the new security gates could cost as much as $7,000 — a price tag that would have a big impact on business owners, Isidro Medina, president and executive director of the Washington Heights Business Improvement District, told The Times.
The city Department of Buildings told The Times that it held several outreach events to spread the word and that the agency doesn’t have the authority to delay the deadline or change the law. The Buildings Department will enforce the new security gates only in response to 311 complaints.
The department added it had held several outreach events and had worked with the city’s Department of Small Business Services to spread the word.
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