NEW YORK — The New York Police Department will begin tracking responses to 311 complaints as part of a new initiative aimed at improving accountability for quality-of-life issues, the New York Post reported.
Speaking at a City Council budget hearing, Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department currently does not track 311 responses in the same way it monitors major crimes through the CompStat system, according to the report. The new “Q-Stat” system will measure quality-of-life complaints and ensure precincts are held responsible for addressing them.
“Quality of life complaints have to be measured, and there has to be accountability in our precincts,” Tisch said.
Addressing quality-of-life issues
Tisch outlined plans for a soon-to-be-unveiled Quality of Life division within the NYPD, focusing on issues like illegal scooters and e-bikes, panhandling, street vending, public urination and open-air drug use, according to the report.
The NYPD received 1.5 million 311 complaints in 2024 alone. Over the past six years, complaints about illegal parking rose 202%, noise complaints increased 119% and reports of homeless encampments jumped 557%. Panhandling complaints saw the most dramatic rise, increasing nearly 2,800%, according to the report.
A targeted approach
The Quality of Life division will operate at the precinct level, with teams focusing on specific issues based on local concerns.
“This model is also driven by the fundamental belief that the cops who work in the commands, day in and day out, they know the issues best,” Tisch said.
For example, precincts with parking-related issues will receive additional training on parking laws, while those dealing with different recurring problems will receive tailored instruction, according to the report.
