Update: The controversial bill that would remove protective barriers from stop-and-go stores has passed Philadelphia’s Public Health and Human Services Committee. The full city council will vote on the bill on December 14th.

Earlier:

Bulletproof glass and other barriers have long kept store workers safe from bodily harm and even death at the hands of armed criminals. This is especially true in crime-infested cities like Philadelphia.

However, a head-scratching bill put forth by councilwoman Cindy Bass would remove these protections from store workers. She claims that the plexiglass barriers are a form of “indignity” being pushed on her constituents. The proposed legislation is called the ‘Stop and Go’ bill and states that “no establishment shall erect or maintain a physical barrier.”

Logically, store owners and workers see it very differently. “If the glass comes down, the crime rate will rise and there will be lots of dead bodies,” said Rich Kim, who owns Broad Deli in an interview with Fox 29.

Kim put up protective glass in his store after a shooting, and says it saved his mother-in-law from a knife attack.

It seems clear that the councilwoman is willing to sacrifice the safety of store owners and workers within the city for the perceived dignity of the citizens. A dangerous tradeoff.