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Council hears bill to create online illegal-dumping portal; DSNY says 311 already provides that function and highlights camera enforcement
Summary
Council Member Stevens proposed Intro 13‑70 to require an online illegal-dumping reporting system; DSNY told the committee that 311 already offers the service and described camera-based enforcement, vehicle impounds and fines.
Council Member Stevens introduced Intro 13‑70, which would amend the city code to require the Department of Sanitation to create an online submission system for reports of illegal dumping by commercial vehicles. Stevens said that 311 complaints sometimes do not reach DSNY and that a direct, easy-to-use online tool would make enforcement more effective.
"Too many New Yorkers try to do the right thing by calling 311, only to have their cases closed without real solution," Stevens said in a statement entered into the record. "This legislation empowers residents to take an active role in protecting their communities by giving them a reliable way to report illegal dumping and hold bad actors accountable."
DSNY witnesses responded that an online reporting path for illegal dumping already exists through 311 and that the department was willing to work with the sponsor on any changes but did not view separate legislation as necessary. The agency described its camera-based enforcement program, which targets illegal dumping by vehicle and carries a starting civil penalty of $4,000; violators are also required to pay cleanup costs and can have their vehicles impounded until fines and storage costs are paid.
On enforcement outcomes, DSNY staff told the committee they impound roughly 300 vehicles per year for illegal dumping and that the agency makes enforcement referrals and issues summonses. When pressed later in the hearing, DSNY supplied a figure for FY 2024 of 299 impounds and 359 summonses related to illegal dumping, and agency staff cited cumulative revenue from dumping-related enforcement since FY 2020 of $1,461,620. DSNY said about 300 impounds per year is the approximate ballpark and offered to provide more granular data to council offices on request.
Council members asked about camera effectiveness and staffing. DSNY said it has license-plate-reader technology and review staff and that the agency is exploring additional tactics such as stakeouts and possibly drones in some locations when plates are obscured. DSNY said it would provide requested camera-data reports to council offices that funded cameras.
Intro 13‑70 remained under discussion at the hearing; DSNY said it would work with the sponsor on potential refinements but maintained that the existing 311 pathway covered the problem the bill addresses.
