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Update On DOI's Blizzard Investigation


by on Jan 5th, 2011

We just received this from the NYC Department of Investigation, which is looking into allegations of a Department of Sanitation slowdown during the blizzard response. Those who witnessed trucks going down streets with plows raised, or other incidents that may imply a slowdown, are urged to call DOI’s snow hotline at (212) 825-3338.

The following update on DOI’s investigation into the snow storm was issued by DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn today:

“DOI is continuing its multi-borough investigation that we started last week into whether there is any evidence of intentional acts of commission or omission related to the snow cleanup.  DOI is attacking this wide-ranging investigation on several fronts, including examining relevant data, such as sanitation attendance records, issues related to equipment and personnel, and specific anecdotes received from the public. DOI is also targeting areas where there has been a high-degree of concern regarding the plowing of snow. And DOI investigators are interviewing  sanitation supervisors in the five boroughs. DOI is following the facts and moving as quickly as possible in this investigation.

“That there are now a number of other offices who have begun inquiries is welcome.  To have more eyes in offices looking at this is welcome.  To determine what happened throughout the City is an enormous undertaking and we are glad that others have joined in the inquiry.  We will share our findings and assist as much as possible.

“We continue to urge members of the public, most especially City employees, to report any information related to this matter, particularly allegations involving intentional acts by commission or omission, and any evidence of encouraging, suggesting, or participating in a work slowdown. City employees are protected from retaliation by the City’s whistleblower law. Anyone with information should call DOI’s snow hotline at (212) 825-3338.”

DOI is one of the oldest law-enforcement agencies in the country. The agency investigates and refers for prosecution City employees and contractors engaged in corrupt or fraudulent activities or unethical conduct. Investigations may involve any agency, officer, elected official or employee of the City, as well as those who do business with or receive benefits from the City.

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  • http://twitter.com/nicktherat nick the rat

    walked past mountains of garbage today, thought sanitation was back on duty

    or is it always this bad?

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CIXKMWVRUVBKQ4CT75NB5BAEBU Death

      nice sneakers!

      • http://twitter.com/nicktherat nick the rat

        lawls, sorry for the sideways cam as well. my sneaks rock!

    • Anonymous

      OMG rotate the camera!!!!

      • http://twitter.com/nicktherat nick the rat

        sorrrrrry! i keep forgetting that it only films it horizontally… just tilt your head :)

  • Whwsailboat

    They should start their investigation in the mayors office. Exactly where was he Sunday morning?

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CIXKMWVRUVBKQ4CT75NB5BAEBU Death

      isn’t he married?

      Well………Where are most Married Men on Sundays LOL

    • nolastname

      Where was he when the NYFD wanted to call a snow emergency before the snow fell??

      • http://twitter.com/nicktherat nick the rat

        in his hot tub doing lines of snow… i mean, cocaine

        • nolastname

          Explains his numb brain.

          • Whwsailboat

            New York Times, Dec. 29 2010:
            At 3:58 a.m. on Christmas Day, the National Weather Service upgraded its alert about the snow headed to New York City, issuing a winter storm watch. By 3:55 p.m., it had declared a formal blizzard warning, a rare degree of alarm. But city officials opted not to declare a snow emergency — a significant mobilization that would have, among other things, aided initial snow plowing efforts.
            By 4 p.m. Sunday, several inches of snow had accumulated when Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg made a plea for help at his first news conference about the escalating storm: he asked people with heavy equipment and other kinds of towing machinery to call the city’s 311 line to register for work. A full day had gone by since the blizzard warning had been issued.

          • nolastname

            TYVM. Now that makes sense of what went wrong.

  • Lew from Brooklyn

    If you have slowdown evidence, you may send it to my office and I will see to it that it is given DIRECTLY to the Commissioner of the Dept. of Investigation.
    Office is 718-241-9330.
    Councilman Lew Fidler

    • CantTrustPolitician

      C’mon Lew, the unions and the politicians are like, married. This will be whitewashed with the usual eye-winking going on, then you guys will vote for higher pensions, and higher taxes.

    • nolastname

      Did Bloomie refuse the NYFD’s request for a snow emergency or not? Investigate that and the disaster that followed.

      • Lew from brooklyn

        That is what the hearing on Monday will be in part about. We will also be holding another hearing on the blizzard locally. Hopefully, we will have the local Sanitation command in attendance for that so we can ask local questions as well.
        Lew Fidler

        • Anonymous

          “Hopefully, we will have the local Sanitation command in attendance”

          Doesn’t the city council have some sort of subpoena powers? If not it should.

        • nolastname

          TY Lew, any idea when or where the local hearing will be held?

    • Local Broker

      Are you going to take credit for that as well?

  • Ray Johnson

    Are they looking for eyewitness reports of snowplow slowdown or only specific evidence? I saw more than a few snowplows just parked, either with a driver sitting at the steering wheel or just no one in the cab. I couldn’t take any pictures.

  • winson

    three trucks passed by my block today, which is the usual pick-up day, and none of them picked up our garbage

    • nolastname

      I’m really glad it’s cold outside. My household trash is now two weeks old.
      Next Bloomie will use this to say, “we” can do trash pick- ups once a week

      • Lew from Brooklyn

        Don’t be shocked. In his first year in office he proposed doing just that in the “outer” boroughs. The Council blocked it. Also, don’t be surprised should they suggest that homeowners start to pay for residential garbage pick up by volume. A total non-starter as far as I am concerned, but I hear murmurs that Goldsmith, the Deputy Mayor in Charge of Re-inventing Government has a history here.
        Lew Fidler

        • nolastname

          I can see why volume would be a factor. All the construction materials I see put out, it seems people are renovating and slowly disposing the old goods to the curb. There are small rentable containers available for homeowners to brunt the charge of their home=improvements. It would not be right if residence were charged for everyday household trash.

      • Julie K

        My sister’s house on East 29th Street has 2 weeks worth of trash outside. She called 311 and was told that they do not take trash complaints, and that “alternate ideas” are more than welcome. I wonder if trash-burning rituals have been spotted around the area… Ridiculous, is what it is…

    • Lew from Brooklyn

      If you live in my Council district, pls call the office tomorrow and give us the block so we can find out what happened and send the trucks back to the block.
      Lew Fidler

      • Anonymous

        Can’t the city council be proactive about anything? Send an intern out with a camera. Almost every block in the neighborhood hasn’t seen a garbage tuck.

        • Lew from Brooklyn

          NQ,
          FYI, my council district runs from Bedford Avenue to East 108th Street in Canarsie. Which intern is going to log those 1,000 plus blocks, know which streets were scheduled for pick ups on what day and know whether they trucks came at some point during the scheduled day?

          You have to be reasonable.

          Lew Fidler

          • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

            Lew. I’m seeing a lot of Fire Hydrants that are buried under ice or garbage around Sheepshead, Midwood and Canarsie as I’m driving around. Not just on the sidewalk either, but the snow is blocking the entire curb in front of the hydrants as people toss their snow there since nobody can park there.

            I was wondering earlier today, what’s the legal situation here? Who’s ultimately responsible for clearing fire-hydrants? Shouldn’t the people that live directly adjacent to Fire Hydrants be responsible for keeping snow and garbage off them? If they can shovel their driveway then they can shovel clear the 15ft around a hydrant too.

            The worst example I saw was here in Midwood. Garbage was piled all around the hydrant on one end, snow on the other, making it invisible from the middle of the street, and a BMW was parked less then 2 feet away obstructing it further.

          • nolastname

            Yeah, and if you live on a corner you have to clear two crosswalks and
            a hydrant you’re really screwed.

  • nolastname

    OK, it’s Thursday morning. Guess what folks. Aaaaaall the garbage is still out there.
    Julie, that makes two weeks and a day. I saw a truck on E19 Street early yesterday.
    Looked like it was gonna be picking up, when I turned around it was gone. Poof, just like a miracle.
    Bur really, what the hell is going on? Now pathetic is pathetic to describe the situation.

  • nolastname

  • Pingback: What Now? A Garbage Pickup Slowdown? | Sheepshead Bay News Blog

  • BustUnions

    They should investigate the Transit workers too. Leaving buses strategically at intersections…..

    Next time i’m going out and taking pictures of union people loafing. Geez, that shouldn’t be a difficult picture to find.