The video from the NYC Mayor’s Office highlights the city’s efforts to combat a severe winter stretch, emphasizing the declaration of a “code blue” and the persistent cold and snow (0:00-0:22).
Key actions and achievements include:
Expanded response and public appeal (1:23-2:06): The city is deploying hundreds more workers from beyond DSNY, extending shifts, and bringing in emergency equipment. The mayor asks New Yorkers to call 311 if they see someone in the cold and property owners to shovel their sidewalks to ensure safety, warning of violations for non-compliance. The goal is to clear all bus stops, sidewalks, and crosswalks, and ensure every New Yorker has a warm, safe place.
Snow removal (0:28-1:06): 23 million pounds of snow have been melted using eight snow melting sites. Over 12,850 crosswalks and 10,450 bus stops (98% of sheltered stops) have been cleared. This effort involves 2,500 sanitation workers per 12-hour shift, an additional 100 DSNY workers, 300 contractors, and 800 emergency snow shovelers. The city has also spread 116 million pounds of salt.
Homeless outreach and warming centers (1:07-1:22): Outreach teams work 24/7, making over 600 placements into safe havens and shelters in 10 days. Twenty warming buses and 18 enhanced warming centers have been opened, with a clear message that no one needing help will be turned away.
Sources: NYC Mayor’s Office , Big New York new BigNY.com
