As I mentioned in my recent State of the Site post, one of the more gratifying pleasures of running this site is helping people determine how to solve their problems. So I thought it might be a good idea to lay out your options if something or someone is bothering you (because I can’t really take up your cause—I have my own peeves to deal with!). As case studies, here are three complaints from readers….

Having a hard time understanding how the all-night/till 5 a.m. construction on Chambers is legal—noise ordinance? Over it.
While your first impulse might be to call 311, I’ve found that 311 is more helpful with a very specific sort of government-related problem (such as a noisy manhole cover). Larger, longterm problems? Not so much. In theory, 311 routes your call to the correct city agency, but if you’ve ever actually called 311, you know that the capabilities of the operators vary widely. Instead, you should try to determine which agency is the right one—I can help with that—and contact it directly. The New York City Department of Design and Construction is responsible for street reconstruction, and the Chambers project has a dedicated community representative. (Her name and contact info are on flyers along the site, but you can also try asking Community Board 1 for the appropriate contact: 212-442-5050.)

Note: Whenever you call anyone to complain, always keep a record of the call: date, time, the name of the person you spoke with, 311 case number—as a history of the problem, and proof you’ve tried to do something about it. Never assume your call was entered in their system.

Early in the morning, I always see an open box of bread thrown out in front of [name redacted] restaurant—it sits on the ground baking in the heat and awaiting critters to attack. Even better is the homeless guy who almost every day puts his mitts into the box taking a piece and enjoying it while reading the paper on a nearby seat. I am disgusted and not sure what to do—I guess figure out how to get in touch with health board? Any advice?
If your issue is with a private company, you should first bring it to the company’s attention. The folks in charge may not be aware of the matter, or that it’s bothering anyone. Email the business, trying to be clear that you’re concerned without getting too emotional—they may think that there’s no calming you, so why even try? (Feel free to copy tribecacitizen@gmail.com, unless you’re worked up about a fly in your soup. Save that for Yelp.) If the business’s website doesn’t have an email, or if you get no response, call and ask how to contact the manager. I prefer email because (a) it’s a record of the problem, and (b) phone calls have a tendency to interrupt people when their minds are elsewhere. If you still don’t get a reply, let me know—I may have other appropriate contacts at the company.

I’m wondering what to do to get the [name redacted] Hotel to stop using whistles to hail taxis—it’s annoying the neighborhood residents. I have written letters asking them to stop, called 311 many times to no avail, and talked to the workers on the street. Now they have reported me to the police for harassing them.
While the manager of the restaurant mentioned in the previous case study had no idea what was going on and was more than happy to address the matter, businesses aren’t always receptive. This reader sent me the full correspondence, and it seems to me—because whistles are a total nuisance!—that he has no choice but to escalate. My response: “You should email Community Board 1 first at man01@cb.nyc.gov, explaining the situation as coolly and factually as possible. The more documentation you have—including 311 case numbers and time-stamped photos—the better. And get neighbors to write—either directly to CB1 or to you to pass along. (And/or do a petition.)” That way, you seem less like a lone nutjob and more like the leader of a movement. “Your only hope may be that CB1 Tribeca makes it an issue before renewing the hotel’s liquor license (whenever it comes up for renewal). In the meantime, I would suggest avoiding the doormen. And if you don’t hear back, let me know and I’ll give you other emails to try.”

To recap:
• Gather evidence before reaching out.
• Get as many other people onboard as possible.
• Be calm and cool in all communications.
• Keep a record of all efforts.
• I’m here if you need me.

Update: Comments have been turned off due to spam. To have them turned back on, email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.