Q&A
Language access and violation cure opportunities in inspections
0:16:03
ยท
116 sec
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about language access for inspectors and whether businesses are informed about opportunities to cure violations. Carlos Ortiz and Andrew Schwenk explain DCWP's approach to language access and violation cure notifications.
- About half of DCWP staff speak a second language, and inspectors use language line services when needed
- Businesses are informed about violation cure opportunities through distributed materials and notification letters
- The agency aims to be sensitive to language access needs during inspections
Julie Menin
0:16:03
So you mentioned the VIP, the visiting inspector program.
0:16:06
Are these inspectors I have two questions regarding them.
0:16:09
One, can you talk about the language access in terms of making sure that those inspectors are always sensitive to the fact that we've always need to go above and beyond on the issue of language access?
0:16:20
And then secondly, are those inspectors telling businesses that they do have an opportunity to cure certain violations so that small businesses are aware of that?
Carlos Ortiz
0:16:32
Thank you for that question, council member.
0:16:33
I think I think, actually, our our agency is somewhat diverse in terms of its language, capacity.
0:16:38
I know in in past budget hearings we discussed of of a staff of over 400, about half of those folks speak a second language, which I'm I'm sure we're very proud of.
0:16:47
Language access the the team of VIP inspectors is a team of is it three or two?
0:16:53
I believe it's three, but I can make sure I get the correct information for you.
0:16:57
They each have, I I think each of them have a, additional language capacity.
0:17:01
But in general, they all use language line, which I know is not always the ideal, but we wanna make sure that if we do have, a situation where a business does not have our meet our language, capacity, that we meet them where they are.
0:17:16
Oh, I'm sorry.
0:17:17
Yes.
Julie Menin
0:17:17
Securing the violation.
Carlos Ortiz
0:17:18
Yes.
0:17:18
So that's part of the the materials that we distribute as well.
0:17:22
Letting folks know, about about, I guess, what what would be the right word?
0:17:28
Their abilities to settle, their ability to cure, ways to that they can reduce their their fine, particularly in the first instance.
0:17:35
We can add it.
0:17:36
Yeah.
Andrew Schwenk
0:17:36
And council member, I would also just add there that for, in the event that we do issue a summons to a business, we do notify the business of any of their abilities either to cure or to settle those violations, and that's through a letter we send out, laying out their options to do so and how they would go about doing it.
0:17:53
And that goes out for every summons, if if cure or, the ability to settle is available.