“Having led the fight against onerous fines and unfair ratings on our small businesses last year, it is extremely upsetting to find that, despite all of the denials from DCA, we find, in fact, that its inspectors have been mandated to fulfill quotas of one fine for every three businesses they inspect. Business owners were emphatic that inspectors were using arbitrary measures when inspecting their establishments, which we now know were a result of their having to meet their 25 percent threshold,” said Council Member Debi Rose. “The fact that the Commissioner of DCA promoted such a detrimental policy that could lead to numerous businesses having to close their doors is unfair. Small businesses have enough challenges without contrived obstacles. I will once again loudly advocate to have this policy reviewed and eliminated.”
“Reports by the Public Advocate currently show that under this administration, small businesses across the city have been hit the hardest by inspections, violations and fines from the Department of Consumer Affairs. This has had a devastating effect on moms-and-pops in the outer boroughs,” said Council Member Letitia James. “With new information that shows– contrary to what has been reported by the agency–indeed DCA
“Any quota system that pushes City employees into engaging in unethical conduct has no place in city agencies. If this is the case with inspections by the Department of Consumer Affairs, it should be ended immediately and restitution should be offered to affected small business owners,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.
“In a time where it is clear that small businesses have been hurting, and where there is a growing perception that government is not doing much to help small businesses, this news is, at best, troubling. These startling admissions by DCA officials and internal documents point to something small business owners have felt first-hand over the past several years—fines are more about revenue than enforcing the law. This is not the way to ensure small businesses follow the law but it is a way to stifle job growth and crush already-struggling businesses in New York City,” said State Senator James Sanders. “The Department of Consumer Affairs, along with many other government agencies should be spending energy on finding ways to help boost small businesses and create an atmosphere in which small business can thrive and be that critical economic engine once again.”
“Quotas in this context fundamentally subvert the integrity of the DCA’s mission. I’m disappointed that our small businesses are being subjected to such an insidious system that ultimately compromises their ability to function, and to employ residents of our city. I look forward to seeing this quota mandate disbanded so that every commercial enterprise may have a chance at being assessed fairly,” said Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda.
“We’ve seen small businesses hit hard by inspections and unfair fines for years now. Now, this glaring and growing evidence just proves what small business owners already know: this is all about quotas and revenue. We need real reform. It starts with a new DCA Commissioner and new laws to prevent any use of quotas to unfairly target our communities,” said Nick Lugo, President and CEO of the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“We are outraged. Our small businesses are being hit with unfair fines like never before and now we have proof the City set quotas that ticket small businesses even when they’ve done nothing wrong. There has to be accountability. Commissioner Mintz has to step down, and the agency has to be prevented from stacking the deck against hardworking small business owners,” said Jahid Minto of the Church-Mcdonald Bangladeshi Business Association.
“Many of our small businesses are barely making it and apply a lot of blood, sweat and tears just to keep the doors open for business. It is wrong and unfair to indirectly install a system that puts people out of business,” said City Council Member Andy King. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. Why is the administration trying to break their back?”
“Small businesses in our community have been reeling from petty tickets that are aimed at raising revenue for the city. The DCA should be helping educate businesses on what the laws are and aren’t—they should be there to support these businesses which are the lifeblood of our community. Instead, these businesses are being shaken down. We have long suspected a quota system was in place and now it’s finally clear that this shake down of small businesses is being mandated from the top,” said Assembly Member Dov Hikind.
“We can’t have City agencies fining small businesses based on quotas. Fines aren’t about padding the City budget; they should be about keeping people safe. What we’ve seen from the Department of Consumer Affairs confirms that the City is out to penalize small businesses any way it can. It has to stop. We need a new commissioner and real reforms to protect small businesses,” said Karan Verma of the United Indian National Overseas Congress.