# Brooklyn Hasidic Jews and window cages **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 17, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077 "2003-07-17T05:30:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/1 "2003-07-17T05:30:25Z")
In the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn where a large number of Hasidic Jews live, I’ve noticed that their windows have metal cages around them. It doesn’t seem to be for security reasons because the window can be on the 1st floor or the 8th floor, provided the building has that many floors. These seem to go beyond simple window bars to protect against children from falling out. Anyone have _The Straight Dope_ on this? ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/2 "2003-07-17T11:17:52Z")
Maybe to allow room to install window fans and air conditioners without compromising security? Also, note how the windows open. They may be casement windows that need outside clearance. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/3 "2003-07-17T12:09:57Z")
My Uncle, who is not a Hasid but does live in NYC, has cages on his windows. It’s to keep the pidgeons out. Haj ---
**Author:** ![glilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/48db29/32.png) [@glilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glilly)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/4 "2003-07-17T13:13:07Z")
A friend of mine in NYC had his apartment robbed by someone who climbed 5 stories on the outside of the building and into their open window. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/5 "2003-07-17T13:19:59Z")
Well my building is split into half crazy Pratt students, and half Hasidics, and I have a nice view right into their courtyard, and their side of the building. The bars are there because their children would all be dead if they weren’t. Everytime I see one of those kids yanking on the bars or jumping around on the windowsill, my heart skips a beat. Looks like whoever welded them did a good job. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/6 "2003-07-17T13:35:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hajario \* > \*\*My Uncle, who is not a Hasid but does live in NYC, has cages on his windows. It’s to keep the pidgeons out. > Haj \*\* I would think that a window screen would accomplish that rather nicely. ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/7 "2003-07-17T20:43:37Z")
Williamsburg used to be kind of rough. Still is a little ghetto, (horrible choice of words, I know) in some parts, but you don’t see much for all the, ahem, young blood coming in. Plus the common belief that “Jews Are Rich”. The turbulance between the Hasidic Jewish and Black communities a few years back. I’m sure it made people pretty skiddish, and some of the bars could be a result of that. What makes you think that this goes “beyond” child-safe windows? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/8 "2003-07-17T22:14:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EasyPhil \* > \*\*I would think that a window screen would accomplish that rather nicely. \*\* You are correct, Sir. He actually had them around his balcony which, now that I think about it, has absolutely nothing to do with the OP. Just ignore me. Haj ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/9 "2003-07-19T05:12:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by karomon \* > \*\*Williamsburg used to be kind of rough. Still is a little ghetto, (horrible choice of words, I know) in some parts, but you don’t see much for all the, ahem, young blood coming in. \*\* You may be ghetto with slum? > [@](#): > > \*\* > Plus the common belief that “Jews Are Rich”. > \*\* Kind of far fetched notion, looking at some of the cars they drive and the buildings they live in. > [@](#): > > \*\* > The turbulance between the Hasidic Jewish and Black communities a few years back. I’m sure it made people pretty skiddish, and some of the bars could be a result of that. > > What makes you think that this goes “beyond” child-safe windows? \*\* All multiple dwelling buildings are required, I think, by NYC law to have child restraints installed on the windows. It seems that only the Hasidic community has the entire window covered. I’m trying to find out whether it has something to do with custom, tradition or what. Too bad there isn’t a Hasidic Doper here to answer, so I’ll have to just stop one on the street and find out. ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/10 "2003-07-19T06:15:16Z")
“Kind of far fetched notion, looking at some of the cars they drive and the buildings they live in.” Sure, but prejudice can be funny like that. “All multiple dwelling buildings are required, I think, by NYC law to have child restraints installed on the windows.” No. Not multiple dwelling building certainly, but maybe you’re thinking of city housing? I believe those have to have child safety bars. I’m telling you, man, it’s a safety measure. It’s either to keep the kids off the sidewalk or to keep the burglars out of the house. ;j ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/11 "2003-07-19T06:23:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by karomon \* > \*\*I’m telling you, man, it’s a safety measure. It’s either to keep the kids off the sidewalk or to keep the burglars out of the house. > ;j \*\* The notion of a burglar reaching a 5th floor window in an 8 floor building with no fire escape is rediculous unless of course he uses a ladder, and a tall one at that, or he’s Spiderman. As for child safety, that could be the reason though if a fire broke out in the apartment, extra time would be required to deal with windows such as this. ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/12 "2003-07-19T07:05:05Z")
What, you never heard of the [Spiderman burglar](http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/news/WABC_061203_upwburglaries.html) ? I think all residential buildings in Brooklyn 3 (?) floors and up _have_ to have a fire escape. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/13 "2003-07-19T12:47:46Z")
> [@](#): > > All multiple dwelling buildings are required, I think, by NYC law to have child restraints installed on the windows. It seems that only the Hasidic community has the entire window covered. I’m trying to find out whether it has something to do with custom, tradition or what. Too bad there isn’t a Hasidic Doper here to answer, so I’ll have to just stop one on the street and find out. I think the window guards are only required in apartments where children under a certain age are living. But I’m not at all sure that the whole window cages are restricted to the Hasidic comunity or are a tradition of theirs . I’ve seen them in non-Hasidic areas also. Where I haven’t seen them is on old buildings- it may have more to do with when the building was built than who is going to live there. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooklyn-hasidic-jews-and-window-cages/189077/14 "2003-07-19T13:47:19Z")
BTW, have you folks see the blog by Hasidic Rebel at [http://www.hasidicrebel.blogspot.com/](http://www.hasidicrebel.blogspot.com/) Wonderfully well-written and a window into a world about which I know nothing.