It shall be the duty of the owner, tenant, lessee, or contractor, and of all or any of them, during the construction of any building or improvement upon or near the line of any public street, highway, alley, or sidewalk, to have all excavations or exposures of any kind protected and guarded by suitable guards or barricades by day, and by warning red lights at night. In case of the failure, neglect, or refusal of said persons, or any of them, to erect such guards and keep the street, highway, or sidewalk well and securely guarded, it shall be lawful for the County Sheriff or any police officer of the village forthwith to stop all work upon said buildings and improvements until guards are erected and kept in the manner aforesaid.
(1996 Code, § 7-105)