This is outrageous. The fines for not inspecting the balconies of a 37-story tower are so small that the company almost had incentive not to inspect. Shame on the Buildings Department for allowing this violation to go unchecked for at least 3 years.

Owners of buildings at least seven stories high are required to hire engineers to inspect their facades every five years. The Buildings Department slapped Jennifer Towers with a $4,000 fine after the firm failed to appear at a hearing over the violation last June.

It's been hit with an additional $6,750 in penalties for failing to file the report, officials said.

In the wake of the tragedy, the agency issued a violation against Jennifer Towers, which posted signs in the building warning residents to stay off their balconies.