Unchained Love: Maine Lovers Lose Paris-Like Fence to Public Safety

A landmark in Maine where thousands of people have pledged their everlasting love to another with padlocks has been deemed a public safety risk and will be removed.

The Portland Press Herald reported that the city’s 30-foot-long Love Locks fence will be removed in the next two weeks but a portion will be displayed in a nearby parking lot.

People attach padlocks to the fence, viewed as a symbol of love like one removed in Paris. The city-owned fence is near Portland Harbor and has been sagging under the weight of hundreds of locks.

City spokeswoman Jessica Grondin said a portion of the chain link fence came loose from its frame about two weeks ago.

The replacement fence won’t allow locks to be attached to it.