In March 2003, the City of New York established NYC311, a transformative initiative that empowered New Yorkers to avoid frustrating bureaucracy with a single phone call. By dialing just three numbers, callers could make inquiries, file complaints, or submit service requests of the non-emergency nature.
Dedicated public servants run these channels, helping during tough times like blizzards, hurricanes, economic recessions, and the ongoing pandemic. They also provide everyday services, like sharing info on trash pick-ups, school closures, or street cleaning, making life in New York smoother.
Since its launch, 311 customer service representatives, managers, and executives have compiled a list their 20 most memorable calls, questions, complaints, and service requests since 2003, below.
TOP 20 CALLS TO REMEMBER
- A cat is terrorizing someone through a screen door. (2003)
- I’d like to file a noise complaint against my refrigerator. (2004)
- Can you tell me the steps for boiling a live chicken? (2005)
- Can I claim my dog as a dependent on my taxes? (2006)
- Who won “American Idol”? (2007)
- How long does a baseball game typically last? (2008)
- Can I use Medicaid for my cat’s surgery? (2009)
- Can you check if my boyfriend is married? (2009)
- Is there a law limiting how many times you can flush the toilet? (2013)
- What is the best pizza near me? (Multiple years)
- When does Santa land in Manhattan? (Multiple years)
- A raccoon is eating lasagna on my porch. (2014)
- Do dogs see in black & white or in color? (2015)
- I’d like to report a ghost in my window. (2015)
- How do I cook a turkey for Thanksgiving? (2016)
- I’d like to report my neighbor for waving to everyone on the block. (2018)
- A goat is tied to the stairwell in my building. (2016)
- If a couple is divorced, can they still live in the same house but in different rooms? (2019)
- Can someone spray the trees so the leaves stop falling? (2022)
- Can you transfer me to a “UFO-ologist”? (2023)
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