By Rich Bockmann
City Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) invited representatives from a number of city agencies to Richmond Hill last week to hear residents’ concerns and help them find the most effective ways to find satisfying resolutions to their complaints.
Representatives from the city’s Buildings, Housing Preservation and Development, City Planning and Sanitation departments met at PS 161 last Thursday, where about a dozen or so residents asked questions ranging from how to report illegal dumping to the best way to get a DOB complaint resolved.
Anthony Iuliano, from the DOB, said Queens made up about 50 percent of the illegal conversion complaints his department had received so far this year, and that it is often difficult to even inspect such complaints.
“For an illegal occupancy, the key is getting access,” he said, explaining that more often than not DOB inspectors are denied access. After two attempts the department closes the case and the only option left is for the DOB to obtain a warrant to enter the building. That requires the complainant to sign an affidavit, something Iuliano said few were willing to do.
Iuliano said complainants are sometimes also reluctant to call 311 to make a complaint because their phone numbers are recorded and can be subpoenaed.
One resident, though, appeared to be willing to do whatever it took to get his complaint resolved.
Miguel Reyes said the building next door to him, on 88th Street in Ozone Park, is filled with squatters and he wanted the DOB to vacate the illegally converted basement.
When Iuliano pressed him and asked if he would be willing to sign an affidavit, Reyes was unwavering.
“I’ll do anything!” he responded without hesitation.
Wills said he would be planning a similar town hall meeting for October that would touch on public safety concerns.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
