New York Auto Shop Faces Hundreds of 311 Complaints—Allegedly, From One Person
A longtime family-owned auto repair shop in Brooklyn, New York, has been the target of excessive 311 complaints over vehicles being parked on the sidewalk, reports the Brooklyn Eagle.
Located at 60 Old Fulton St., New Xcell Auto Repair has been operated by the same family for over 50 years. Eric Han is the current owner, with his grandfather, father, and uncle having first started the business in 1972.
The shop has built a loyal reputation over the years, but has faced a sudden explosion in 311 complaints lodged against it in the past couple months—specifically ranging between 300–400—which take issue with vehicles being moved between the street and the shop’s property.
Han was informally told that these complaints were coming from the same person, which made sense with how diligent the complainants have been. For example: when a vehicle was recently dropped there off by a tow truck, it took less than five minutes for an employee to bring it in, but it still led to a 311 complaint being filed.
Another example Han provided was a delivery truck coming to drop off parts, which prompted a 311 complaint over the couple of minutes it took the shop to sign for the delivery. It took police half an hour to come investigate the complaint, after the delivery truck was long gone.
“Every time a delivery truck pulls up for five minutes to drop off parts, or someone pulls into my driveway to ask a question, boom, a complaint is immediately filed. When the police get here 20 minutes later the delivery truck is gone,” said Han. “This guy probably watches the DOT traffic cam and files a complaint online the second a car is on the sidewalk.”
The problem received even more attention when customers of the shop became aware of what was happening and sent requests for help in to Councilmember Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn Heights – Greenpoint).
“This is such a shame. New Xcell are good mechanics,” said one local, Marilynn Donini. “I walk by there every weekday and never have trouble navigating the sidewalk. Twice I’ve even been on crutches. It’s important to keep local businesses like New Xcell in the neighborhood.”
Restler told Brooklyn Eagle that he and his team will be working with New Xcell to find a solution for the shop.
“New Xcell is a valued small business in our community and we want to ensure they are able to operate effectively without parking cars on the sidewalk or in the bike lane,” said Restler. “We are committed to working with New Xcell to identify safe alternatives that work well.”
