Q&A
Language access for reporting illegal cannabis shops
0:31:32
·
98 sec
Council Member Brewer raises concerns about language access for non-English speakers when reporting illegal cannabis shops, particularly in relation to the use of 311 versus the Sheriff's Office's email system. Sheriff Miranda explains their current approach to language access.
- The Sheriff's Office can translate emails received in different languages
- 311 complaints are received and processed regularly, with daily reports on new complaints
- There was initial confusion because the 311 process was not in place when the bill (Intro 557-A) was first introduced
- The current system involves 311 communicating with people first and then forwarding complaints to the Sheriff's Office during operating hours
Gale A. Brewer
0:31:32
Okay.
0:31:32
But I what I'm trying to say is it doesn't operate as in other words, when I complained the h PD about a building situation.
0:31:40
I don't have to send it to an email.
0:31:42
I just send it to 311.
0:31:43
So I think we're going to have a difference of opinion on that particular issue.
0:31:49
The mayor's manager report has a section dedicated to 311.
0:31:53
And yesterday, when the MMR came out, it said with so many New Yorkers accessing government resources through 311, its work is tied to a fair and transparent service delivery particularly for non English speakers whom it aims to serve in their preferred language.
0:32:11
As you know, underserved communities often rely on 311 for support and easy access to government.
0:32:18
How many of the 10 designated citywide languages are spoken by the staff who monitor the smoke shop complaints at sheriff.nyc.gov because as you know, this is an important issue language access.
0:32:32
Where is it at 311?
0:32:33
They do have a lot of languages, if I may say so.
Anthony Miranda
0:32:36
Again, we the emails is they send an email in that's has a different languages that we can change it and translate as well.
0:32:43
However, the 311 complaints come from 311.
0:32:46
So we get those on a regular basis.
0:32:47
I get reports every morning on the new how many of 311 complaints came in the day before.
0:32:53
So I kinda, I think I believe that the miscommunication is that prior when the bill was first introduced, this was not operating as a 311 process.
0:33:01
And currently, we have a 311 process in place that communicates with the people first and also forwards close to our office when we're in operating hours.
Gale A. Brewer
0:33:10
Okay.
