QUESTION
What is being done to address the increasing number of cases against the city in FY 24?
2:14:59
·
144 sec
The New York City Law Department has implemented a new risk management division and is working with agencies to identify issues causing the increase in lawsuits against the city, particularly related to the impact of COVID-19.
- The spike in cases is partly attributed to lawsuits delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Efforts are focused on providing tools and training to address pervasive behavior leading to threats against the city.
- There is a significant amount of taxpayer money used to settle these cases, prompting a need for preventative measures.
- The division is actively monitoring and working with agencies to mitigate the risks and reduce the number of cases against the city.
Gale A. Brewer
2:14:59
During the 1st 4 months of FY 24, all cases, this is about cases against the city commenced, increased 18% from the same period in the prior year, 2838 to 3000 352, and I think the same happened on the state and federal issue.
2:15:18
So I know this is an ongoing issue.
2:15:21
It's nothing new.
2:15:22
We've been talking about these cases for many years.
2:15:25
What are we doing to try to stop the upward trend?
2:15:30
And, you know, how do we deal with this issue?
2:15:32
It's not a new issue.
2:15:33
I know.
Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix
2:15:34
And that was one of the reasons why we we implemented the new risk management division, and we we are having the the attorneys from risk management.
2:15:43
We've built out a whole team.
Gale A. Brewer
2:15:45
Yeah.
Michael J.Ryan
2:15:45
We're
Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix
2:15:45
having them talk to agencies across the board so that we can identify those issues They have been causing to see problems.
2:15:54
They have been causing people to to to bring these lawsuits.
2:15:57
That that's one of the things that we're doing.
2:15:59
To manage this.
2:16:00
But you realize to that we've had a spike based on the fact that there was COVID and and during the time that they would COVID, a lot of a lot of lawsuits that didn't really hit the pipeline and and now doing so.
2:16:16
So the spike numbers happens to do with with some of that.
2:16:21
But but the the the one thing that what that we were focused on is to making sure that people have the tools that understand the things or the behavior that would have been that's pervasive, that causes that the threats to the city in that fashion, and we're and we're looking at it and monitoring and and making sure that this division has the tools that that they that they need and the individuals that they need to work with with our agencies to to highlight this.
Gale A. Brewer
2:16:52
There's a lot of money that is taxpayer money that is used to settle these cases.
2:16:57
Okay.
2:16:57
I mean, I I believe that in the past such efforts have been made maybe with social media and more communication.
2:17:04
And I don't know what training involved because, you know, people do what they're gonna do.
2:17:09
I assume PD is the highest, but I don't know that for a fact.
2:17:13
And I would love to see some way of you know, working so that people don't end up in your hospices.
2:17:21
So let's see what happens.
2:17:22
Thank you.