Security Gates: Keep 'em or Not?
Is it a good idea to remove big iron security gates? I own a TH in North Slope (owner’s duplex & 2 floor-thru rentals) that has big iron security gates on all of its doors front and back on the ground and parlor floors. It looks a bit prison-like and I see many homes on…
Is it a good idea to remove big iron security gates? I own a TH in North Slope (owner’s duplex & 2 floor-thru rentals) that has big iron security gates on all of its doors front and back on the ground and parlor floors. It looks a bit prison-like and I see many homes on the adjacent blocks do not have them. Is breaking & entering or burglary a big problem in North Slope (b/w Flatbush and 6th Ave)? My plan is to live there for a while and get a feel but I’m inclined to take them down. Most THs seems to have ron doors with a window on each side – I wonder if it isn’t too easy for someone to break the glass, reach in and let themselves in?
Find the best online casino reviews. All this and more at http://www.online-casino-wizard.com
For what it’s worth, we live in the center slope and have bars only on the bottom from windows. We have no bars on our glass door to the garden. We’ve had no incident for the past 4 years. I also lived, without incident, in an apartment on the upper west side with no bars on the glass door to the garden during most of the 1980s.
That said, I’ll admit to being a bit worried sometimes when I’m alone at home.
I don’t think you need them on the parlor floor, but I’d keep them on the garden floor, even if you get an alarm system. Reasoning: that way you can leave the window open when you go out for a while. Open/bar-less window on a garden floor is a sure way to get robbed. If you read the crime stats in the local paper, you will see that trend.
I would also recommend living with them for a while. We are in Prospect Heights two blocks off Flatbush and have bars on the garden level which look to be original to the house. We added bars in the rear on the parlor level where our deck is. In the front, we don’t feel the need for more bars since our block is fortunate to have a number of “eyes on the street”, mostly retired folk, who look out for their neighbors and know the local dodgy characters. I think a lot depends on the the specific block — sometimes posher blocks can be more vulnerable because people don’t know each other or they aren’t around enough to notice something array.
Try living with them awhile — your eyes might adjust.
I think they are important for security.