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Moats in NYC
New York City is installing moats to keep out the bad guys.
From A New Idea in Security Would Put Vehicle Barriers on a Pavement-Level Turntable:
It functions like a moat but looks like landscaping. In the Tiger Trap system, which has been installed at Vesey Street and North End Avenue, a threshold made of compressible concrete extends in front of a low wall. The concrete bed is covered with plantings (sedum, in the case of Battery Park City) or paving. It is strong enough to bear the weight of people on foot.
But if a truck tried to cross it, the concrete threshold would collapse, sending the truck into the barrier wall, which extends several feet below ground. It has been shown to stop a 15,000-pound truck hitting it at 50 miles per hour. Compressible concrete is also used to stop aircraft that overrun the ends of runways.
Visually this is a better design than a set of posts, or bollards, all around the building. So why don't more buildings go for it? The internal stakeholders resist it:
“You know what the obstacle is?” Mr. Cavanaugh [president and chief executive of the Battery Park City Authority] continued. “When you talk to corporate security people, they like the look of being protected. They like the idea of bollards because it sends a signal to would-be terrorists.” However, he added, “anyone who’s going to look to breach security at a building is going to do their homework and find out who’s protected and who’s not.”
One other downside of the Tiger Trap moat is its complete lack of sharks or piranhas, but I guess that's another issue entirely.
"You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads! Now evidently my cycloptic colleague informs me that that cannot be done. Ah, would you remind me what I pay you people for, honestly? Throw me a bone here!"
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)