Question 1

Is SidewalkSnitch free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SidewalkSnitch is free to use. There is no subscription, no in-app purchase, no advertising, and no data sale.

Question 2

How do I report a parking violation in NYC with SidewalkSnitch?

Accepted Answer

Open sidewalksnitch.com on your phone, tap New Snitch, select Parking, take a photo of the violation, confirm the address (auto-populates from GPS), tap Analyze, review the AI-drafted description, attest, and submit. The complaint is routed to NYPD or NYC DOT depending on the violation type.

Question 3

Can I report anonymously?

Accepted Answer

No. NYC 311 requires a real name and verified phone number for complaints to be actionable. Your identity is shared with the city agency only, not publicly displayed.

Question 4

What happens to my photos?

Accepted Answer

EXIF metadata (GPS, camera serial) is stripped from every photo before storage. The stripped image is stored in Firebase Storage and submitted to NYC with your complaint. Photos are not shared with third parties beyond the specific city agency handling your report.

Question 5

Is SidewalkSnitch affiliated with NYC?

Accepted Answer

No. SidewalkSnitch is an independent civic-tech product not affiliated with the City of New York. It uses NYC Open Data and submits complaints through official 311 channels.

Question 6

Will the person I report find out it was me?

Accepted Answer

No. NYC does not share the reporter’s identity with the violator under normal circumstances. Subpoenas or court orders can compel disclosure, which is true of any complaint system (311, NYPD, DOI).

Question 7

What types of violations can I report?

Accepted Answer

Parking (hydrants, double-park, bike lanes, expired meters, handicap zones), outdoor dining (sidewalk café encroachment, unsafe barriers), sanitation (illegal dumping, bags out early, recycling violations), and vehicle idling (commercial vehicles over 3 minutes, 1 minute near schools).