311
Not the charmingly genre-defiant band but the mysterious New York City complaint service.
I called them today to complain about two things:
1) The water fountain at Cooper Park - where I play basketball - which has been either exceptionally warm and funky or just plain trickling since the summer began. I told them to trick it out.
2) A pothole at the intersection of Graham Ave. and Meeker. I lied and told them my car had gotten a flat tire, just driving over it. Kablamo! If the city doesn't fix it, I told her, my car and my family might blow an axle next time and careen into a school. Really, it's just scared me a number of times. But disaster could strike. It's a brutal and strategically placed pothole.
Has anyone else used this service? The thought of direct access to the City infrastructure makes me feel loved and protected. I don't know how quickly they'll attack these problems. But the woman I talked to was very nice and her voice filled me with hope. I asked what the general problems people called up with were. Mrs. 311 told me noise and potholes.
I will report back with updates on these trivial but tangible problems and how quickly they are remedied. Start making noise so I can complain about that too.
I called them today to complain about two things:
1) The water fountain at Cooper Park - where I play basketball - which has been either exceptionally warm and funky or just plain trickling since the summer began. I told them to trick it out.
2) A pothole at the intersection of Graham Ave. and Meeker. I lied and told them my car had gotten a flat tire, just driving over it. Kablamo! If the city doesn't fix it, I told her, my car and my family might blow an axle next time and careen into a school. Really, it's just scared me a number of times. But disaster could strike. It's a brutal and strategically placed pothole.
Has anyone else used this service? The thought of direct access to the City infrastructure makes me feel loved and protected. I don't know how quickly they'll attack these problems. But the woman I talked to was very nice and her voice filled me with hope. I asked what the general problems people called up with were. Mrs. 311 told me noise and potholes.
I will report back with updates on these trivial but tangible problems and how quickly they are remedied. Start making noise so I can complain about that too.
posted by Casimir at 2:44 PM
2 Comments:
Thank you Cas for commending this new friendly service (as kindness is practically a rarity in NY bureaucracy). I recently reported an obstructed traffic light at the horrid intersection of E34th St and the Midtown Tunnel. 311 promptly transferred my call to the Dept of Parks & Rec and they will swiftly remove the little tree that was the problem. Why must we destroy nature instead of moving the light? Nature must be more easily bullied...
- Susan Stewart
Since I've called 311, neither thing I mentioned were fixed. But I'm not giving up yet. The water fountain issue may have come up too late as the season for outdoor sports is fast fading. But I shall continue to study my pothole for improvement. Sounds like you both made NYC work for you. As it should!
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