Q&A
Challenges faced by DEP inspectors and limitations of current enforcement methods
1:03:48
·
4 min
Commissioner Aggarwala and Deputy Commissioner Lubin explain the challenges faced by DEP inspectors and the limitations of current enforcement methods, particularly for mobile violations like idling vehicles.
- DEP has 65 air and noise inspectors, with 15 dedicated to reviewing videos and preparing summonses
- Inspectors handle a wide range of issues, including odors, dust, noise, and air quality complaints
- The small number of inspectors relative to the city's issues limits their effectiveness
- Mobile violations like idling vehicles are particularly challenging to enforce with traditional methods
- DEP is exploring technology-based enforcement approaches, such as noise cameras
- The increase in civilian complaints has led to more inspectors being desk-bound to review submissions
Rohit T. Aggarwala
1:03:48
Sure.
1:03:48
Well, I'll I'll ask the deputy commissioner to chime in with numbers.
1:03:51
But let me start by saying, first of all, you know, we have a very small group of air noise inspectors.
1:03:59
They do both air and noise inspections.
1:04:02
It is the same group of people.
1:04:05
They do not make a lavish salary, and we do have some retention issues in that group.
1:04:13
Traditionally, DEP has only been staffed to be responsive.
1:04:18
Right?
1:04:18
So we will pursue complaints that are based on 311 calls.
1:04:24
People call 311.
1:04:25
They have either an air quality or a noise complaint.
1:04:28
We will schedule a visit.
1:04:30
And that works much of the time when you're talking about a static issue, if there's a construction site or something like that.
1:04:39
It doesn't really work for vehicles because they're mobile.
1:04:43
That's why we are innovating around different approaches to technology based enforcement.
1:04:49
Many of you know that we've had a very successful program of noise cameras.
1:04:54
It's the same problem.
1:04:56
If the violation moves around, it's very hard for a limited number of inspectors to chase after it.
1:05:04
And as I mentioned in in my testimony, one of the things that has happened while The number of the civilian complaints has grown so much is that our limited pool of era noise inspectors are increasingly chained to their desks, reviewing these
James F. Gennaro
1:05:21
Oh.
1:05:21
Oh.
1:05:22
Oh.
1:05:22
So it's the same that
Rohit T. Aggarwala
1:05:23
the same
James F. Gennaro
1:05:24
into complaints and also Yeah.
1:05:26
Review the video footage at left rack or whatever.
1:05:29
Right?
Rohit T. Aggarwala
1:05:29
Right.
1:05:29
Right.
1:05:29
And they were the ones I was out a couple of weeks ago at Forest Hills Stadium.
1:05:34
On Saturday night or Sunday night.
James F. Gennaro
1:05:36
Okay.
1:05:36
Well, you could have
Rohit T. Aggarwala
1:05:37
Same group of people.
James F. Gennaro
1:05:38
You could have invited me, but okay.
1:05:41
Yeah.
Rohit T. Aggarwala
1:05:42
We were dealing with the neighbors who didn't like it, so it wasn't a party.
James F. Gennaro
1:05:46
Okay.
1:05:46
Well, I'm always ready to give you backup.
1:05:49
And so did deputy commissioner wanna add something on that?
1:05:53
The numbers.
Julie Lubin
1:05:54
Yes.
1:05:55
Currently, we have 65 air and noise inspectors.
1:06:00
And we have 15 who watch videos and prepare summonses.
1:06:06
Of these 10 are dedicated to only idling, and 5 are on and off idling.
1:06:12
So these inspectors are doing, as the commissioner said, all kinds of air inspections in response to 311.
1:06:19
We have odors.
1:06:20
We have dust.
1:06:21
We have Yeah.
1:06:22
Every kind of noise, commercial music, dog barking.
1:06:27
It's sort of an endless black smoke, all kinds of issues that we have to address through the 3011 system.
1:06:35
So it's it's actually a pretty small number relative to all the issues we have in the city.
1:06:43
10 of those inspectors only are reviewing videos and at present do not go in this in the field.
1:06:49
So I think that was part of your question and the other five do both.
1:06:53
And that could include an idling complaint as well for for example, a a passenger car.
1:06:59
The citizen, civilians do not do those.
1:07:02
They only do commercial vehicles, but we we may do everything.
James F. Gennaro
1:07:05
Right.
1:07:06
Okay.
1:07:08
All the more reason why we have to get the the civilian enforcement right, in operating along lines of excellence, code of conduct, everything going like we need to make.
1:07:19
So this is a difficult endeavor.
1:07:22
I've been grateful to have the image Patricia's partnership and your partnership commissioner and that of your good team.
1:07:31
And we look forward to peeling the onion and arriving at a place where everyone is pretty much in there happy place.
1:07:40
And I'm not saying that to be funny.
1:07:42
I just I just we just need to get it right.
1:07:45
And so we thank you for your commitment to partnering with us on that.
1:07:48
And with any anybody who wants to ask questions over there?
1:07:55
Oh.
1:07:57
Counselor or wrestler, which is to be recognized.
1:08:00
I recognized Counselor or wrestler for questions, but he's not gonna get as much time as Alexa.
1:08:06
Okay?
