Community Board 14 received the following response from the Department of Transportation (DOT-218756-H4B3.) "Please be advised that the Sidewalk Inspection and Management (SIM) Division has advised that under Section 19-152 of the New York City Administrative Code, property owners are responsible for maintaining, repairing and installing sidewalks adjoining their properties. SIM will inspect the above location and issue a Notice of Violation to the property owner, if warranted." If you require additional information, please contact the New York City Department of Transportation Brooklyn Borough Commissioner’s Office at (718) 222-7259.

That's a stock answer. The sidewalk belongs to the city of New York, so who is DOT going to sue? Themselves?