After recent vehicle attacks in NYC, the city has decided to install over 1,500 security barriers for sidewalks with high volumes of foot traffic.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the project will be part of a $50 million security infrastructure investment. The barriers will be metal cylindrical posts, called bollards.
Everything we do in the #NYPD is geared toward keeping people safe. That will always be our obligation, no matter how much we’re able to reduce crime/violence. And people deserve to not only BE safe, they deserve to FEEL safe, too. New sidewalk bollards around the city will help. pic.twitter.com/LaQ5SCKS7k
— Edward A. Caban (@NYPDPC) January 2, 2018
The bollards will be placed in public spaces such as Times Square. While the permanent installation of these barriers won’t be done until March, temporary blocks will replace the current fencing until then.
In his announcement, the mayor said, “these are some of the busiest streets in the world. People have to get around, but they also have to be safe.”
Approximately 1,500 new permanent bollards integrated into the City's streetscape will address security threats, promote pedestrian flow, and maintain safe and open public spaces https://t.co/TC1akoDobg pic.twitter.com/9fRUUe1Zm5
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 3, 2018
Featured image source: NYC Gov Press Release