By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com
New York City’s “Sidewalk Slobs” program enforces strict sidewalk cleanliness regulations with increased fines for non-compliance, while a new bill empowers local sanitation departments to use surveillance cameras to address illegal dumping.
New York City’s “Sidewalk Slobs” program enforces strict sidewalk cleanliness regulations with increased fines for non-compliance, while a new bill empowers local sanitation departments to use surveillance cameras to address illegal dumping.
In a bid to maintain the city’s cleanliness, New York City is intensifying efforts to combat unsightly and hazardous conditions caused by neglectful property owners.
Under the city’s “Sidewalk Slobs” initiative, property owners are legally required to maintain the cleanliness of sidewalks and the adjacent 18 inches of street area outside their properties. The program aims to address increasing complaints about litter and debris accumulation, which affect both the aesthetic and sanitary conditions of neighborhoods.
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has been actively issuing summonses to those who fail to adhere to these regulations. For repeat offenders, fines can reach up to $500, reflecting a significant increase in penalties for continued non-compliance. The city encourages residents to report violators through the dedicated website, tinyurl.com/SidewalkSlobs, where chronic offenders may be featured in a “Hall of Shame” gallery.
The New York State Senate passed Bill S.1552, on April 18 earlier the year, sponsored by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., designed to tackle illegal dumping in public areas. The new legislation empowers local sanitation departments to deploy surveillance cameras to identify and fine those who illegally discard waste.
Addabbo’s bill aims to curb the rise in illegal dumping, which has been a persistent problem in many neighborhoods, causing sanitation issues and environmental concerns.
“Many responses to my 2023 community questionnaire specified illegal dumping as a major contributing factor in lowering the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Addabbo said. “It continues to be a serious sanitation and quality of life issue resulting in odor issues and presenting environmental problems, both locally and statewide. My bill doesn’t just help to identify and impose a fine on offenders but also creates a deterrent to future litterers. This legislation will help ensure our neighborhoods remain aesthetically beautiful and environmentally safe for all to enjoy.”
If the bill receives approval from the Assembly and is signed into law by the Governor, it will take effect immediately. The bill’s progress follows a series of complaints from residents about increasing litter and unsanitary conditions.
“This bill is certainly constituent driven. It was born out of many complaints to my office, filed by residents who are frustrated with unwanted community dumping and debris,” Addabbo said.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant budget cuts in city services, including sanitation. These reductions, coupled with increased outdoor dining and changes in parking regulations, exacerbated street cleanliness issues. Alternate side parking restrictions were lifted, reducing the frequency of street cleaning and contributing to higher volumes of litter and rat sightings.
The impact of these cuts became apparent as 311 complaints surged for dirty street conditions and missed garbage pickups. The city’s ability to manage street cleanliness was further challenged by these overlapping issues, leading to a noticeable decline in urban sanitation during the early pandemic years.
On May 1, the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, chaired by Council Member Shaun Abreu, convened an oversight hearing to address various street cleanliness issues. Proposed legislation includes:
Int 0003-2024: Requires the DSNY to remove abandoned vehicles within 72 hours.
Int 0043-2024: Mandates daily emptying of public waste receptacles by DSNY.
Int 0052-2024: Calls for the creation of Sanitation Sections and cleanliness grading of streets.
Int 0102-2024: Requires DSNY to include time- and date-stamped photographs with violation notices.
Int 0281-2024: Proposes installation of dog waste bag dispensers on public litter baskets.
Int 0736-2024: Establishes a pilot program for rat contraceptives.
Res 0174-2024: Urges state legislation for the return of deposit bottles.
Data collected from April 2023 to March 2024 highlights discrepancies between different sanitation measures. While there were 97,873 OATH violations related to dirty conditions, derelict vehicles, and illegal dumping, 311 complaints totaled 154,401. This suggests that while violations are recorded, community complaints can provide a broader picture of sanitation issues.
The city’s 24,681 litter baskets, essential for maintaining clean streets, have seen significant variation in complaint levels. Notably, a small percentage of these baskets generate a disproportionate number of complaints.
New regulations, effective August and September 2023, require food-related businesses to secure trash and organic waste in lidded containers. This measure aims to mitigate issues associated with food waste and improve the overall cleanliness of commercial areas. Additional changes include the expansion of residential curbside collection and a heightened focus on snow operations.
As New York City grapples with these multifaceted cleanliness challenges, ongoing legislative efforts and policy adjustments reflect a concerted push towards a cleaner, more orderly urban environment.
