Gothamist: Search For the Open Window Rapist

ticketholders

Sun, 26 Jun 2005 06:10:38 -0500

I wasn't referring, Joclyn, to a deadbolt on my apartment door. Nor, Chris---as Tien pointed out---was I referring to child guards. The gates I'm referring to were custom-made. They're mounted on the inside of my windows. The right-hand one is fixed, and permanently blocks any sort of entry. The left-hand one has a dead-bolted door that allows access from the inside my apartment to my fire escape, but prevents access from the outside. They even have a bit of filligree to prevent them from looking like jailhouse bars. Hope this helps.

Joclyn

Sat, 25 Jun 2005 10:19:56 -0500

Deadbolts are not safe, or legal to even have, in your apartment. You have to be able to get out without a key.

tien

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 14:27:54 -0500

i feel like landlords only have to supply window guards for child safety.

Ticketholders

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 13:50:28 -0500

Good question, Chris. Maybe I was naive. I think I'm the only person in the building with them. I've had them for 10 years, so it comes out to only $30 or so a year. I figure I'll try to recover the cost from the next tenant. They're not something that's standard-issue with a NYC apartment...

Chris

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 11:49:02 -0500

That seems like something your landlord should have paid for, honestly. Did you try to get him or her to reimburse you?

Ticketholders

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 10:07:16 -0500

Two thoughts: [At least this was true several years ago] Local precincts have public safety officers who, as a courtesy, will point out risk spots (old locks, unsecured windows, etc.) in your apartment and building. A local locksmith made dead-bolt gates for my windows for about $300. Worthwile if you face a fire escape.