As part of the Union Square Partnership’s ongoing efforts to beautify, maintain, improve, and champion the Union Square-14th Street district, we have put together this easy to follow guide for how to report quality of life issues within the district. These are challenging times so it will take all of our efforts to ensure that the Union Square area remains one of the most desirable neighborhoods in NYC.
Please read on for more information about these action items and the latest resources for reporting quality of life issues in our community.
1. Report issues to 311
311 is the best way to report non-emergency quality of life issues within the district to the City. When you file a complaint through NYC 311 online or by phone (call or text 3-1-1), your report will be sent to the relevant City agency who will work to address the issue. The USP Operations team reviews all 311 reports daily to look for items that require additional attention.
COMMON ISSUES:
Graffiti: Including graffiti happening now, past or chronic graffiti, or graffiti in the park and other public amenities
Noise: Including noise from the park, a neighbor, construction, and other sources
Homeless: Find assistance for a homeless person, report an encampment, or access homeless services
Sidewalk Conditions: Report a dirty, damaged, or blocked sidewalk
Street Conditions: Report dirty, dangerous, or damaged street conditions
Trash: Report improper trash disposal, trash placed for pickup that has not been properly secured, or trash or debris in the street
Vending Activity: Report a problem with a vendor on a City street or sidewalk
HOW TO REPORT TO 311 :
See below for instructions to report online or by phone. Please note that when you report an issue in Union Square Park, be as specific as possible in your description so the inspector can locate the problem. For example, “the southwest corner of Union Square Park’s South Plaza near the intersection of 14th Street + Union Square West.” If there is no street address, 311 will assign the closest address to the location specified.
Online
Use the search tool to select the kind of report you’d like to file (shortcut links to common issues above)
Fill out the “What,” “Where,” and “Who” sections with all relevant details
If applicable, upload a photo to illustrate the problem
Note the Service Request number in order to track the progress of the report
By Phone
Call 311, or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675)
Listen for instructions to select the relevant 311 complaint or wait on the line to speak with the operator
Provide all relevant details (“What,” “Where,” and “Who”) to the 311 representative
Note the Service Request number in order to track the progress of the report
2. Connect with NYPD + NCOs
NYPD’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) are our community’s local problem solvers. Union Square’s NCOs know our neighborhood and its challenges well, and we encourage you to reach out to them directly to discuss ongoing crime or quality of life issues.
Union Square-14th Street is located at the intersection of three NYPD Precincts - the 13th, 9th and 6th, and Transit District 4 is the precinct within the subway station. Every precinct is divided into smaller neighborhood sectors, each with its own NCOs.
Click here to find your precinct and sector. The best way to get in touch with your local precinct is by calling the main precinct number or by emailing your local NCOs.
Community Council President: Serge Harnett
Precinct: (212) 477-7411
Community Affairs: (212) 477-7427
Neighborhood Coordination Officers: Sector A + Sector B
Precinct: (212) 477-7812
Community Affairs: (212) 477-7805
Neighborhood Coordination Officers: Sector D
Precinct: (212) 741-4811
Community Affairs: (212) 741-4826
Neighborhood Coordination Officers: Sector B
Transit District 4 NCOs are responsible for the safety and security of subway riders on all trains and in all stations within their district.
Phone: (212) 253-7511
Neighborhood Coordination Officers: Sector C
3. Attend public safety meetings
Get to know the NYPD precincts that serve Union Square by attending monthly Build the Block and Community Council meetings. These strategy sessions with officers and community members help to identify public safety challenges and potential solutions.
13TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Meeting Details: The third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at 230 East 21st Street
Community Council President: Serge Harnett
9TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Meeting Details: The third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at 321 East 5th Street
Community Council President: Neil Barsky
6TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Meeting Details: The last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Community Council President: Maureen Remacle
4. Participate in community board meetings
Community Boards 2, 3, 5, and 6 advocate and advise on behalf of residents and businesses within their borders. They are comprised of committees that focus on issues of public safety, land use + zoning, transportation, parks, landmarks, and city services. You can report ongoing persistent quality of life issues to your district manager for follow-up. Click here to find your local Community Board.
District Manager: Mark Diller
Phone: 212-979-2272
Email: info@cb2manhattan.org
Report an Issue: Contact CB2 directly or fill out their online form
District Manager: Susan Stetzer
Phone: 212-533-5300
Email: mn03@cb.nyc.gov
Report an Issue: Contact CB3 directly or fill out their online form
District Manager: Marisa Maack
Phone: 212-465-0907
Email: office@cb5.org
Report an Issue: Contact CB5 directly or fill out their online form
District Manager: Jesús Pérez
Phone: 212-319-3750
Email: help@cbsix.org
Report an Issue: Contact CB6 directly or fill out their online form
5. Contact elected officials
Our neighborhood Council Members (Districts 2 + 3) introduce and vote on legislation related to all aspects of City life, monitor City agencies to ensure they are effectively serving New Yorkers, and review land use, transportation, and economic development projects. You can contact elected officials directly to report ongoing persistent quality of life issues and share your concerns. Click here to find your City Council representative.
Council Member: Carlina Rivera
Phone: 212-677-1077
Email: District2@council.nyc.gov
Stay Connected: Follow Council Member Rivera on social media
Council Member: Erik Bottcher
Phone: 212-564-7757
Email: District3@council.nyc.gov
Stay Connected: Follow Council Member Bottcher on social media
Follow up with the USP team
Share the status of your quality of life concerns with the USP Operations Team so that we can follow up with our partners to help to remediate the problem whenever possible. You can email them at info@unionsquarenyc.org and please be sure to include details about the time, location, and any previous communication you had about the issue as well as your phone number so that they can contact you to discuss.