Photo credit: Jerome Dominici
by Arline L. Bronzaft, Ph.D., Board of Directors, GrowNYC, Co-founder, The Quiet Coalition, and Honorary Chair, Quiet American Skies
Both New York City residents and visitors will not be surprised to read in this article that the number one complaint to the city’s 311 line is noise. While Josh Ocampo’s article includes other complaints, like illegal parking, rodents, unsanitary conditions and blocked driveways, noise has topped the list for many years. Unfortunately, according to State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s 2018 report on noise complaints to 311, most go unresolved and the noise continues.
High on the list of the complaints discussed in Ocampo’s article are “neighbor-to-neighbor” complaints. Many of these can be resolved by managing agents and landlords, as stipulated by leases. Still, noise complaints from aircraft, helicopters, construction, vehicles, night life venues and neighbors continue to overwhelm New York’s residents and visitors.
New York City has addressed the noise issue with legislation dating back to the 1930s and the latest version of the Noise Code was updated about 18 years ago. The New York Department of Environmental Protection and the New York Police Department share duties in enforcing this code. One might ask how effective this legislation has been. For legislation to be effective, it needs to be enforced. Thus, the question should be: how strong is the enforcement? The DiNapoli report would lead one to say that it’s not very strong. I would like to know if the DEP, the police and building management agencies have data that could address the enforcement issue.
The DEP hired additional agents when the DiNapoli report came out, but apparently this was not sufficient as the number of noise complaints remains high. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio set up the Office of Nightlife to facilitate a more vibrant nightlife community in New York City. As noise is a serious mental and physical hazard to the health of all New Yorkers, I would suggest a similar office be set up to facilitate a healthier lifestyle as well. I have been involved in researching and writing on the adverse effects of noise on health for many years. I have also worked to reduce noise pollution with groups in the United States and abroad, including Canada’s Right to Quiet. I now offer my services to Mayor Eric Adams or any public official in New York City who would like to discuss reducing noise pollution.
