NCJ Number
48893
Date Published
1972
Length
65 pages
Annotation
THE ACTIVITIES OF TWO EXPERIMENTAL NEIGHBORHOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES DEALING WITH CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IN NEW YORK ARE REPORTED FOR 1971 AND 1972. THE IMPACTS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE LOCAL COMPLAINT CENTERS WERE ESTABLISHED IN A MIDDLE-CLASS AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK. FOLLOWING A SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TWO OFFICES, THE REPORT PRESENTS A DETAILED STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINTS FILED AT EACH OFFICE, INCLUDING OBJECTS OF COMPLAINTS, LOCATION OF CLIENTS, OFFENDER TYPE, AND RESOLUTION. AN ACCOUNT OF THE MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE LOCAL OFFICES IS INCLUDED. DURING THE FIRST YEAR, THE LOCAL COMPLAINT CENTERS HAD SOME DIFFICULTY IN PERSUADING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO PROSECUTE COMPLAINTS, BUT FINALLY MANAGED TO OBTAIN ACTION ON THREE OUT OF FOUR CASES REFERRED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE COMPLAINT CENTERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN FORMULATING REGULATIONS ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND DETERMINING THE NATURE OF PROBLEMS AND THE FREQUENCY OF ABUSE. SIX REGULATIONS THAT GREW OUT OF LOCAL OFFICE EXPERIENCES ARE DESCRIBED. THE SUBPOENA POWER OF THE CENTER PERMITS IT TO PERFORM AN OUTREACH FUNCTION INFORMING CONSUMERS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED. THE LOWER INCOME-COMMUNITY CENTER ISSUED 23 VIOLATION TICKETS, WHILE THE MIDDLE-CLASS COMMUNITY CENTER ISSUED 3, THE TICKETING ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESS PRACTICES. THE CENTERS ADOPTED AN ADDITIONAL FUNCTION OF REFERRING CITIZENS TO PROPER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WHEN THEY RECEIVED UNRELATED COMPLAINTS AND QUESTIONS. THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS ARE CONSIDERED SUCCESSFUL, AND HAVE BEEN INSTITUTIONALIZED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE NUMBER OF CONSUMER SPECIALISTS BE INCREASED, THAT THE OFFICES BE PROVIDED WITH INSPECTORS AND AN ADDITIONAL HEARING OFFICER, AND THAT A POSITION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER BE OPENED. (DAG)