The 411 on 311

In a funny (or not so funny, depending on the editor) coincidence, the NY Times and NY Post both have stories about 311, the city's phone line resource for non-emergency matters. The Times article looks at the next stage of 311's evolution - providing information about concerts, museums, restaurants, and theaters. The City's Information Technology and Telecommunications team is getting that functionality ready for the Republican National Convention, working with the non-profit NYC tourist association, NYC & Company (they help organize Restaurant Week). There is debate over a city-funded service dispersing information about where to eat, but NYC & Co. head Cristyne L. Nicholas (former Giuliani administration) tells the Times that businesses that have joined NYC & Company (whose dues range from $500-1500) should be rewarded a good civic boosters." Net net, the Times' article touches upon how 311 is becoming this wide-reaching city quality of life service that helps NYers and the city government

Civic boosting is great, but we hope people calling 311 for restaurant information also get themselves a local NY magazine or guidebook, too. Actually, 311 would be a great application for wireless devices, but that's for the nerds to figure out. One new feature of 311 that Gothamist likes that they let you know about street closings and rainouts of performances. We'd like there to be a feature for "What streets to avoid" - if this is really to be useful during the convention.

The Post's 311 story is about people using 311 to settle scores. Some Queens residents are calling 311 and making city cuilding inspectors visit houses, "where, in many cases, they find no evidence of any violations." New Yorkers are so crafty in their vendettas! One City Council member is proposing a bill that would make abusing 311 a crime, with fines from $1,000 to $5,000 and jail terms of up to six months. And then there's the issue of 311 anonymity - currently 311 callers don't have to give their name, but perhaps 311 will have to determine which kind of complaints require a name and other information. Gothamist, for our part, has complained ('cause we do it so well) to 311 about double parking, messed up traffic lights, and car alarms, and we don't mind giving our name ("Art Vandelay") and address (any fake Law & Order location, like 600 West 97th Street, which would put you in the river).

Joey from tale of two cities called 311 - but was told to call 911! And Gothamist on 311, as well as its birthday and early days.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 19, 2004 12:13 PM

Comments [rss]

brooke

Once, after hearing a loud explosion behind my building, 311 helped me find out what the explosion was...they checked with the fire dept., the police and public works. In the end, my explosion was a pipe bursting in the building behind mine. I felt much better knowing that I didn't have to worry. They were quite cordial, too.

I have also contacted them about pot holes and rats. They responded to both.

When a crime happened on my street, I called 311 to find out what I could do. The connected me to crime stoppers who then gave me the sketch of the rapist.

Overall, definately pleased with the service.

Erin

Actually, about a month ago, my roommate called 311 after seeing a suspicious person climbing on the fire escape of my building (which I thankfully no longer live in), and they suggested she call the local precinct, who suggested calling 911. Hooray for phone run-around.

sp

theres also this guy in my neighborhood who drives a red minivan with a backup beep alarm, and i'm not kidding, some nights he's out driving around the block in reverse for hours on end. WTF is that?!?!?

Jen W

Yeah, what about bars that allow their "Woo!" girl patrons yak it up loudly on an otherwise crowded street? Or when that same bar has live music well past midnight on a weeknight (tiny bar, musicians at front, against the windows, door open)? Are these things 311-able?

Matte

One day there was a swarm of angry bees occupying half the block. So me being all upright citizen, I called 311. They told me they couldn't do anything about the potential killer bees loitering around the street and referred me to the Parks Department or possibly the ASPCA, they didn't even transfer me. I had to tell them to jot something down in the *comments* section of their database to figure out what to do about man-eating bees in case a similar situation might arise in the future.

sp

I've always wondered about 311, and how effective it is. I live on the 1st floor and very often have to deal with people being loud at impossible hours of the moring (like walking their dogs at 4am) and wondered if I called 311, what difference would that make? would someone show up within 15 minutes to give them a ticket for an incessantly loud barking dog? anyone have some 311 tales to share?

Bec

In the past, the folks at Gothamist have been known to get their dander up over racial insensitivity. So, I've gotta say that Joey's comment regarding "spanish dudes" proclivity for stealing cars was very lame, and I'm surprised you would link it.