Service Calls to City Hall

Every day, dozens of Providence residents contact our city government with requests for information and service covering everything from rat control to noise to speeding on our streets. Our biggest problem based on 311 calls? Getting rid of stuff – or the ways that other people get rid of their stuff.

The vast majority of these contacts are received through the Mayor’s Center for City Services, known as the 311 system for its speed dial number.  Just dial 311 any Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 to reach a real person who will listen to you and forward your request to the right city office or department. (If you just like more digits, dial (401) 421-2489.) Can’t wait until 8:30 Monday morning ? Make your request online – you will need to set up an account with your email and a password, but once you do, you can submit your complaint and also upload photos of the problem you want fixed. Or, you can always speak directly to your City Council member or the Mayor’s office – your request will also be recorded and tracked in the 311 system.

Here are few of the most frequent types of calls from the 104 categories used by the Mayor’s Center for City Services last year. For the complete tally of issues residents raised through the 311 system in 2023, scroll down.

 

18,722              Total number of contacts logged into the Providence 311 system in 2023, an average of 72 contacts per working day.

4,398                Calls received seeking information only, not requiring action.

14,324              Requests seeking action in response to a complaint or condition.

3,136                All requests related to trash and trash collection,  21% of all requests for action.

1,173                Residents complaining that their trash was not picked up.

1,003                Complaints about litter and waste on private property.

576                    Complaints about litter and waste on public streets and public property.

132                    Complaints about overflowing dumpsters.

503                    Requests for repairs to existing sidewalks.

68                      Requests for new sidewalk panels.

11                      Complaints about sidewalks not shoveled after snow.

153                    Requests for road repair or replacement.

499                    Excessive noise complaints.

302                    Complaints about graffiti on private property.

267                    Contacts concerning street lights.

262                    Reports of abandoned vehicles.

239                    Complaints about speeding.

 

Source: The Mayor’s Center for City Services. We thank Norelys Consuegra at that office for her detailed reporting.

 

Jonathan Howard is Co-founder of Cause & Effect, Inc., a consulting company that provides strategic planning facilitation, fund development planning and board strengthening to mission-driven organizations. He is a long- time resident of Providence.

 

 

All 2023 calls to 311 by category – in order of frequency as provided by the Mayor’s Center for City Services.

 

2023

Total cases reported:
18, 711

RequestsPercent
General information439823.5%
Missed Trash/Recycling/Yard Waste pickup11736.3%
Trash/debris on private property or sidewalk10035.4%
Illegal Parking (on-street/overnight)9895.3%
Potholes8384.5%
Tree Related Issues8374.5%
Trash/litter on public street or property5763.1%
Substandard Housing Code Issues or Violations5382.9%
Sidewalk – Repair Existing5032.7%
Excessive Noise4992.7%
Street Sign Request4982.7%
I am unsure how to classify my issue.3231.7%
Graffiti – Private Property3021.6%
Overgrowth/High Grass on Private Property2721.5%
Street Light2671.4%
Abandoned Vehicles2621.4%
Maintenance at Parks and Recreational Facilities2411.3%
Speeding on Streets2391.3%
Traffic/Walk Signal Malfunction2301.2%
Public Safety Concern2191.2%
Bike & Scooter Issue2171.2%
Bins left out after trash day2141.1%
New Street Sign2111.1%
Housing Support Coordination1981.1%
Storm Drain/Catch Basin Blocked1931.0%
Other Animal Control Issue1811.0%
Trash/Recycling Bin Request Support1620.9%
Street Flooding1530.8%
Road Repair or Replacement1530.8%
Sinkhole1500.8%
Report Dead Domestic Animal1360.7%
Overflowing Dumpster1320.7%
Crosswalks and Road Striping1290.7%
Failed Utility Patch1180.6%
Sewage Backup1150.6%
Zoning Violations1120.6%
General Permit Issues1030.6%
Speed bumps/Traffic calming1030.6%
DAMAGED MANHOLE/UTILITY COVER990.5%
Decorative Street Light970.5%
Parking Meters/Kiosk Malfunction900.5%
No Heat, Hot Water,Gas, or Electricity840.4%
Downed wire or leaning utility pole830.4%
Overgrowth/High Grass Public Property760.4%
Rodent Baiting Support730.4%
Illegal Housing730.4%
General Comment or Concern730.4%
Complaint about a Licensed Business700.4%
Street Sweeping690.4%
Sidewalk – Install New Panel680.4%
City Council Intake660.4%
Excessive Noise – Fireworks560.3%
Bicycle Transportation and Infrastructure400.2%
Handicap Parking Concerns390.2%
Trash/recycling bin stolen/missing380.2%
Abandoned Property380.2%
Issues at a Construction Site340.2%
Trash/Recycling Vendor Noise Complaint320.2%
Broken Water Pipe290.2%
Storm Drain/Catch Basin Damaged290.2%
Mayor’s Office Intake (Internal)290.2%
Fire Hydrant Issue270.1%
Missing manhole/utility cover270.1%
Snow Plowing, Salting or Sanding260.1%
Report an Unlicensed Business or Illegal Vending260.1%
Sidewalk -Tree Related220.1%
Graffiti in a Park210.1%
Curb Cutouts in Sidewalks200.1%
Senior Services160.1%
Report Discrimination150.1%
North Burial Ground120.1%
Snow – Un-shoveled Sidewalk110.1%
Maintenance on Pedestrian Bridge100.1%
Hate Crime90.0%
Complaint about a City Employee80.0%
Report Smell of Gas80.0%
General Tax Assessor Questions70.0%
Clean and Lien70.0%
Abandoned Property Needs Reboarding70.0%
Wheelchair Accessible Ramp – Private Property60.0%
Request Birth/Death/Marriage Certificate60.0%
Water Quality Concern50.0%
Affordable Internet Program50.0%
Guardrail – Repair Existing50.0%
Wheelchair Accessible Ramp – City Property40.0%
Graffiti – City Owned Property30.0%
Faulty Plumbing, Raw Sewage30.0%
Report Squatters in Abandoned Property30.0%
Tax Collector (Problem Paying Taxes – Non Senior Constituents)30.0%
School Facility Issues30.0%
Plastic Bag Ban Complaint20.0%
Tax Collector (Problem Paying Taxes – Senior Services)20.0%
Student Transportation (First Student/RIPTA) (School)10.0%
Public Property (Internal)10.0%
ProvWater Engineering Issues10.0%
Recreation Services10.0%
Crossing Guards10.0%
Tax Assessor (Senior Services)10.0%
Problems with my Water Meter10.0%
Tax Assessor (Non-Senior Constituents)10.0%
Bike Path/Lanes10.0%
Unspecified Type – Building10.0%