SidewalkSnitch · FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Last updated: 2026-05-20
Common questions about how SidewalkSnitch works, who it is for, and what happens after you file a complaint. For the full privacy and terms details, see Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
What is SidewalkSnitch?
SidewalkSnitch is a free Progressive Web App for NYC residents. You photograph a potential city-code violation — a car blocking a fire hydrant, trash set out too early, a sidewalk café operating outside its permit — and the app uses an AI vision model to classify the violation, drafts a complaint description, and helps you route it to the right city agency. SidewalkSnitch is an independent civic-tech tool, not affiliated with the City of New York.
Is SidewalkSnitch free?
Yes. The app is free to use. There is no subscription, no in-app purchase, no advertising, and no data sale. SidewalkSnitch earns nothing from your filings.
Do I need to create an account?
You need to verify a mobile phone number to file a complaint. NYC requires a real name, verified phone number, and contact address for complaints to be actionable. Without those, the city cannot follow up. You can browse and draft a complaint before verifying — phone verification is only required at the moment of submission.
Can I file a complaint anonymously?
No. NYC requires identifying information for 311 complaints. The city needs a contactable submitter to follow up, close the complaint, or issue a citation. If you call 311 directly, you can choose not to give your name — but anonymous complaints have lower follow-up rates. SidewalkSnitch does not support anonymous filing because it would route complaints that the city would not act on.
Will the person I report find out it was me?
NYC does not routinely share the reporter's identity with the subject of a complaint. Under normal circumstances, the person you report will not know who filed. That said, like any government complaint system, records can be subpoenaed in civil or criminal proceedings. This is true whether you file through SidewalkSnitch, the 311 app, or by phone.
How does the AI classification work?
The app sends your photo to xAI's Grok-4 vision model along with a domain-specific prompt that includes NYC's rules registry for the violation category you selected. The model identifies what rule, if any, is violated, extracts relevant details (license plate, business name, address), and drafts a plain-English complaint description. You review that draft, edit anything that's wrong, and check a box attesting that the description matches what you personally observed. The AI does not auto-file anything.
What violation types does SidewalkSnitch cover?
Currently: parking violations (hydrant blocker, crosswalk blocker, bus-stop blocker, bike-lane blocker, double-parking, handicap zone without permit), outdoor dining violations (sidewalk café operating outside permit boundaries or hours, unsafe barriers), sanitation violations (early trash setout, illegal dumping, recycling non-compliance), and vehicle idling (commercial vehicles idling more than 3 minutes, 1 minute near schools). Additional categories are planned.
What happens after I file a complaint?
Your complaint is routed to the appropriate agency — NYPD, NYC DOT, or NYC DSNY depending on the violation type. The agency assigns a Service Request Number (SRN). Status updates flow back to your Filings view when the city responds. Response times vary widely by violation type and agency workload: parking complaints are typically acknowledged within a few hours; sanitation complaints may take longer. SidewalkSnitch has no control over what the agency does after receipt.
Still have a question?
Email us at contact@contact.sidewalksnitch.com. For technical issues, include the complaint ID from your Filings view if you have it.
Ready to file? Open SidewalkSnitch and tap the yellow card on the home screen.