Councilman seeks to reform NYC truck idling law reporting system as “bounty hunters” rake in $500k+

The New York City truck idling law reporting system may see changes soon as local officials vow that the “days of the six figure bounty hunters are over.” 

The top five earners profiting from the Big Apple’s Citizen Idling Complaint Program, which allows citizens to report idling trucks around the city, have all made more than $500,000 since 2019, reported NY Post.

Those who report commercial vehicles violating the idling law, banning them from idling for more than 3 minutes when they park on the side of the road, can earn anywhere from 25-50% of the fines collected from a legitimate offense. The fines for the CMVs range from $350 to $2,000, and as much as 95% of the claims are proven legitimate. 

The top five earners have profited $585,800, $709,975, $725,025, $748,825, and $895,737 respectively since 2019, according to their reporting stats. However, at least one of these earners says that the city has not paid him the money it claims it has. 

“That [amount] is not the money I have received,” says Patrick Schnell, who reportedly earned $585,800.

Now, local officials say the reporting system was not intended to become a full time job for New Yorkers, and say that the program must be reformed. A specific plan for reforming the program has not been determined. 

“The days of the six-figure bounty hunters are over,” Queens City Councilman James Gennaro, who chairs the Environmental Committee, said to The Post.

“We’re not doing that anymore,” he continued. “The program has become an occupation. The program was not intended to be an occupation.”