About the Program

Our initial report (2016-S-37), which was issued on June 9, 2017, examined whether the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) had effectively addressed noise complaints related to nightlife establishments in New York City (NYC). The audit found that the NYPD’s and the SLA’s efforts to communicate and coordinate noise mitigation strategies and tactics with each other were limited. In addition, the SLA did not access and analyze pertinent data from NYC’s 311 system and, as a result, certain establishments with numerous noise complaints lodged against them continued to operate with little or no notice from public oversight authorities to address such complaints. Further, the audit found that when the SLA took action against establishments with high levels of complaints, they were primarily due to violations other than those related to noise. Moreover, the NYPD used its resources to respond to the same locations hundreds of times a year, often with little or no apparent effect on the numbers of complaints.

Key Findings

• NYPD officials made some progress in addressing the problems we identified in the initial audit report. Of the initial report’s two recommendations to NYPD, one was implemented and one was not implemented.
• We found that SLA officials did not address the problems we identified in the initial audit report. Of the initial report’s two recommendations to SLA, neither have been implemented.

Key Recommendation

Officials are given 30 days after the issuance of the follow-up report to provide information on any actions that are planned to address the unresolved issues discussed in this report.