New law lets locals earn money by tattling on idling commercial vehicles

A new video from Vice News shows how New York City residents can earn thousands of dollars by reporting idling trucks and busses to city officials.

A video entitled “How To Get Rich Reporting On Idling Vehicles In NYC” was released by Vice News on March 30.

In the video, environmental activist George Pakenham shows Vice reporters exactly how he banked thousands of dollars by submitting evidence of idling commercial vehicles. Pakenham says that he has patrolled the streets of New York looking for idling vehicles for more than a decade, but a law enacted in 2018 allows him to keep 25% of the fine imposed on the commercial vehicle driver.

The fine for violating New York City idling laws can range anywhere from $300 to $2000.

“I’ve submitted 120 times and I got paid nine thousand dollars. Cash in the bank,” Pakenham said.

According to the official website of the city of New York, “You can report an idling vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle, that is parked with its engine running for more than three minutes, or parked next to a school with its engine running more than one minute.”

For more, check out the video below.