Record number of NYC 311 complaints over heat, sidewalk conditions: DSNY

8 months ago 16

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Wind and weather aren’t giving anyone a break, and people have a lot to say about it. 

Complaints to New York City’s 311 system have logged record numbers for heat issues and sidewalk conditions, according to officials. On Wednesday, people filed 1,058 complaints about snow and ice on sidewalks.

The previous record number was in January 2022. 

“If you want to be here, you have to be prepared,” said resident Johnny Wilson. 

The Department of Sanitation said it issued 2,034 summonses on Wednesday for failure to clear snow and ice. 

The department said there’s a “major new focus” on enforcing clear sidewalks. In February 2022, after a three-day snow event, 668 summonses were written.

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PIX11 News reported to 311 the snow and ice conditions on the pedestrian paths of the East 174th Street bridge. A case number was generated with the Department of Transportation.  

Regarding heat issues, 1,959 complaints about heating were logged into the 311 system on Wednesday. The city said there have been nine days this season with more than 1,500 complaints.

Private landlords must provide heat when temperatures dip below a certain point. NYCHA has been responding to resident concerns. 

Hector Alvira has a space heater running inside his apartment in the Bronx. 

“You feel like you are inside the freezer, not the refrigerator,” he said. 

Bronx River Houses Tenant President Norma Saunders has been in contact with officials and checking with seniors in one of the buildings. 

“They’re living off space heaters and the stove and that’s not safe. The weekend is going to be colder,” she said. 

A NYCHA spokesperson told PIX11 News that the agency has been in regular communication with resident leadership at Bronx River Addition, and staff will continue addressing resident concerns within the building. 

“NYCHA staff is working to maintain the aged heating equipment in this building and will continue to do so in coordination with resident leadership. We will continue working toward a lasting and satisfactory solution for all affected residents. Bronx River Addition residents in need of assistance are encouraged to call the Customer Contact Center,” the spokesperson wrote. 

Bronx River Addition will be the next NYCHA development to vote on a model to fund repairs and renovations beginning March 13.

Cases are supposed to be forwarded to the appropriate city department for follow-up. 

There are more than 6,000 miles of roadway in the city. Property owners are responsible for clearing their areas.

“[The] effort takes time because it requires manual labor. You may file Service Requests beginning 72 hours after streets have been cleared. There is no guarantee that every overpass or underpass will be cleared,” a message on the 311 entry said.

Emergency snow laborers have been hired by the city to help clear snow from pedestrian overpasses and underpasses once all streets have been cleared.

"If you want to be here, you have to be prepared," Johnny Wilson said.

Wilson watches for the sidewalk slip and slide. It has been mostly clear for his travel around the 174th Street Subway station and Boston Road in the Bronx. That is except for the East 174th Street bridge. That could use some clearing, causing people to be walking on the road. 

Property owners are given 14 hours if snow stops falling between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. If snowfall stops overnight between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., property owners are given until 11 a.m. to clean.

Snow cannot be shoveled into the street, officials said. If you see a snowy or icy sidewalk in front of a building or lot, the DSNY encourages you to report it here.

Article From: pix11.com
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