Building façades in New York City pose a potentially dangerous situation to pedestrians, as beautiful architectural ornamentation can quickly become deadly falling objects should the anchoring holding it in place fail.
On May 16, 1979 that potential turned into a heartbreaking reality when a Barnard College freshman, Grace Gold, was struck and killed by a chunk of masonry that had detached from the 7th or 8th floor of 601 West 115th Street. In response to this tragedy and in recognition of the hazardous conditions it exposed, New York City has enacted legislation (first Local Law 10 and now Local Law 11/the Façade Inspection Safety Program) that safeguards the public from falling facades.
Tell it to Bellet