First Sandy knocked them down.Now, the Buildings Department is kicking them.
Dozens of homeowners in storm-thrashed parts of the city have been slapped with violations threatening criminal prosecution if they don't get their properties fixed up, sources said yesterday.
The violations -- many in Breezy Point, where Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc and left thousands without power or heat -- shocked homeowners who are still trying to figure out how to get their homes and lives back on track.
"This is absolutely disgraceful!" fumed state Sen. Tony Avella, who receive multiple calls about the issue from his constituents in Queens.
"For the city to be going around issuing these notices and violations while people still have trees on their houses -- most people are just in shock."
Buildings spokesman Tony Sclafani said the violations don't carry monetary penalties and are being used by the city to keep track of storm damage.
"These violations are issued by the department as a way to record the conditions at the location," he explained.
They couldn't use a notebook or a database?
Still, City Councilman Mark Weprin, who represents parts of Queens, was furious.
"It was certainly upsetting for a lot of people because it put salt in their wounds," said Weprin, who received several calls from his constituents. "People were upset they got them.
"They're still waiting for insurance companies to come up, looking for contractors to come out -- it would be impossible not to have these violations. The language on these violations were very poorly chosen and scared people," the councilman added. "That's adding insult to injury."
A Buildings Department source said 900 houses in all the affected areas across the city got the notices. Of those houses, some 200 will have be torn down by the city in the coming weeks.
You get the government you vote for and deserve. Enjoy!