The New York City Council passed a bill on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, requiring the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to create a notification system that will alert business owners each time the city receives a complaint or a request for service about a business.
The bill, sponsored by Brooklyn Councilmember Robert E. Cornegy Jr., was voted on unanimously.
Business owners can join the service on a voluntary basis. The aim of the notification system is to make participating businesses aware of potential issues and to give them a chance to address the complaints. The owners and operators of businesses will be notified via text message or email.
Councilmember Cornegy Jr., who represents the 36th District which includes Bedford Stuyvesant and northern Crown Heights, stated: "In an age where push notifications and other electronic alerts have become a common business practice, it is important for our municipality to alert business owners in real time of complaints filed against them. This will give them an opportunity to address, or at the very least, be aware of potential issues they may have."