Q&A
Safety concerns and DEP's approach to threats against civilian reporters
1:22:46
·
83 sec
Council Member Marmorato inquires about safety measures for civilian reporters in the Citizens Air Complaint Program (CACP), and Commissioner Aggarwala explains the DEP's approach to handling threats and ensuring safety.
- The DEP has received a handful of reports of threats against civilian reporters.
- The department advises civilian reporters to withdraw from potentially threatening situations, similar to their unarmed air and noise inspectors.
- In cases of potential threats, the DEP relies on the police department for enforcement.
- The DEP currently has no direct means to take action against threats unless civilians file a complaint with the NYPD.
Kristy Marmorato
1:22:46
Okay.
1:22:47
Just one a few more questions I have.
1:22:49
So, giving that you would like to ensure safety and protection for the civilian complaints.
1:22:55
For people facing abuse or threats.
1:22:58
What is DEP doing currently to monitor and address these threats of violence and abuse towards our civilians?
Rohit T. Aggarwala
1:23:06
Towards our workers.
Kristy Marmorato
1:23:08
No.
1:23:08
For the civilians that are are reporting.
Rohit T. Aggarwala
1:23:10
Look, we we have heard we have received a handful of instances where where people seeking to record information and and filed complaints have been threatened by by the drivers or or what have you.
1:23:27
Look, you know, our error noise basically, we advise the same thing as we advise our error noise inspector DEP's air in air noise inspectors are unarmed.
1:23:37
It is one of the reasons that we divide responsibility for particularly noise enforcement with with the police.
1:23:45
In any instance where there is the potential for a threat.
1:23:51
We do not send our inspectors.
1:23:52
We ask the police department to take it.
1:23:54
So, basically, our advice is, if and when that happens, we need civilians to withdraw.
1:24:00
We do not have any way right now to take action against that unless the civilian files a complaint with NYPD.
