AGENCY TESTIMONY
Unprofessional behavior and fraud in the Citizens Air Complaint Program
0:28:27
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122 sec
Commissioner Aggarwala addresses issues of unprofessional behavior and fraud among some participants in the Citizens Air Complaint Program.
- Highlights the lack of time limits for complaint submissions, leading to some complainants saving violations for months
- Discusses instances of fraud, including:
- Submitting the same video twice with different allegations
- A single complainant submitting videos from different boroughs allegedly taken at the same time
- Resubmitting altered evidence after DEP found it unacceptable
- Notes that DEP has started issuing summonses to individuals who commit egregious fraud
- Emphasizes that only 4 individuals out of over 900 participants in 2023 received summonses for fraud
Rohit T. Aggarwala
0:28:27
We would like to use these bills being heard today to resolve these issues.
0:28:31
Addressing them would make the law clear to follow and easier to enforce.
0:28:36
A final shortcoming of the program today is that it has enabled unprofessional behavior from some participants.
0:28:43
We should hold those who submit complaints to certain standards of professionalism and integrity.
0:28:48
The first issue relates to the timely submission of complaints.
0:28:52
There is currently no time limit on how long a complaint can be filed after it is recorded.
0:28:58
DEP's own inspectors are expected to report their complaints within 9 days of observing the violation, though typically we do so within 5 days.
0:29:08
It is important that civilian complainants be required to do the same.
0:29:12
We've observed some complainants saving violations for months and then dumping them all at once.
0:29:18
This is unfair to the accused and causes issues for DEP and oath, which then have to process large volumes of complaints and bunches, slowing down the review time for all complainants.
0:29:30
The second issue is finding instances of fraud among some participants.
0:29:35
Submitting false reports is wrong, and it wastes city resources and time.
0:29:39
Our inspectors have found the same video being submitted twice with different allegations, with the intent generate 2 summonses based on the same event.
0:29:48
A single complainant submitting videos from different boroughs allegedly allegedly taken at the same time, and a complainant resubmitting slightly altered evidence after DEP had already found it unacceptable.
0:30:02
To combat fraud, DEP has started issuing summonses to individuals who have committed this egregious behavior.
0:30:09
We are not discouraging participation in this program.
0:30:12
We are working to to ensure that all participation is appropriate.
0:30:16
In 2023, more than 900 people submitted at least one idling complaint.
0:30:23
Sumances were issued to a total of 4 individuals.
0:30:27
If I could have the next slide, please.
