LEAD, S.D. (AP) — City officials in Lead have decided to lock the gates on a fence that lines part of Main Street, and that has some business owners irked.

The decorative metal fence has gates installed mid-block to allow business owners and residents direct access from the sidewalk to the street.

The Black Hills Pioneer reports the city decided to keep the gates locked after numerous reports of people almost falling out of the gates. City Administrator Mike Stahl says it's a safety concern, and could open the city to a lawsuit.

Some business owners say locking the gates is causing people to climb over or crawl under the fence, and that it's also slowing business. Businessman Michael Gaffney says he thinks speeding vehicles on Main Street are a bigger safety concern.

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