Forum
« ECB Violatiion Private Driveway facade renovation shortlist »
February 9, 2009
Sanitation Hearing
I am curious whether anyone has ever gone to a Sanitation hearing to fight a ticket. I received a ticket in the mail but I suspect it is really intended for my neighbor. We do not have clearly marked house numbers and our block has an irregular numbering system. I have taken numerous photos of the neighbor's trash and yard, my trash and yard, as well as other photos to show them how the numbers could have gotten mistaken. Ticket is for $100, otherwise I really wouldn't bother. Has anyone every done this?
Comments
i fought one 7 years ago, and it was dismissed because it was written sloppily.. i think they use printers now, but if 100 bucks is worth 2 hours of your time, fight it
Posted by: eman1234 at February 9, 2009 7:09 PM
You might try calling NYC Sanitation Enforcement, 718-714-2731, and asking to speak to an inspector. I had some success with this in a similar situation.
Posted by: vinca at February 10, 2009 8:12 AM
I fought a ticket about snow clearance-totally absurd - I'd left a little snow on the street side of the sidewalk. I presented my case to a "lawyer" who was totally neutral and seemed a little tired of the whole process. 7 months later I was presented with the same fine saying I'd lost. This city is a total joke at times. The sanitation worker who originally gave me the ticket was not the sharpest chisel in the toolbox but what do you expect...
Posted by: job at February 10, 2009 9:26 AM
We get one ticket a year - apparently it's unrelated to how clean our sidewalk actually is. If it's worth your time (or you want to do it on principle), I would recommend fighting it. We've had our dismissed. You need to be able to demonstrate "resonable effort" (i.e. you check your sidewalks when you leave for work and when you get home, and pick up as necessary). Photos help a lot.
I think the judges realize that the inspectors will ticket for a few pieces of litter that blow onto the property during the day, and don't just go after regular offenders.
Posted by: Heatherie at February 10, 2009 10:47 AM
I fought one - with photo documentation. Months later I got the adjudication - reduced fine by half.
Posted by: Arkady at February 10, 2009 11:00 AM
My building got a handwritten ticket in early January. WE have a constant problem of trash being dumped in front of our building and in our recycling cans by others on the street, and on 5th Avenue. We decided to dispute the ticket, but I am not hopeful - we don't have a photo of someone in the act of dumping it, or before/after shots, so they will probably say it is our responsibility to deal with the trash.
Posted by: mscrochety at February 10, 2009 11:19 AM
I got a ticket for garbage in the street in front of my house. I took a picture of the bottle in the street, threw away the bottle and took an after photo. I fought the ticket, and I'm pretty sure I saw the judge smirk at the ridiculous waste of his and my time. He dismissed the ticket. But be careful, because you can only fight these tickets in Brooklyn on some days, and other days you have to go to Manhattan. Good Luck.
Posted by: kirbykat at February 10, 2009 11:23 AM
It may be worth fighting because, if I remember correctly, the dollar amount of the fine increases based on the number of tickets that have been issued to the address...
Posted by: kelly at February 10, 2009 3:56 PM
Thanks everyone. I will let you know how it turns out. It just burns me because the ticket is for having trash in the front yard. My neighbor keeps her trash cans right in the front, and she has no fence, so the combination is a recipe for a sanitation ticket. That's why I am so sure that the ticket was intended for her and not me. Also the fact that the ticket was not left at my house like it was the one other time I got a ticket. ($25 for not having an empty cardboard arm and hammer cat litter box in a blue bag. Seriously. Written with great drama--language like "no blue bag in sight!" as if I'd violated the Constitution.)Anyway, thanks for your input.
Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at February 10, 2009 6:25 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.