Growing out of construction scandals in the 1980s, private sector integrity monitors have become big business. They are supposed to prevent corruption and wrongdoing on major projects. With New York about to embark on a huge housing build, with billions worth of coastal protections to be constructed, with several major hospitals to be refurbished, the question is whether these privately paid watchdogs can be relied upon to police the public interest.
Since scandals of the 1980s, many New York City construction sites have had integrity monitors on hand to police corruption and maintain safety. The system, credited with successes and failures, will be tested in the coming round of city-building.
In the rubble of the World Trade Center, integrity monitors shined. A block away, they were unable to stop the corner-cutting that led to two firefighters’ deaths.
Integrity monitors will likely play a critical role in pending city projects around coastal protections and affordable housing. Who will make sure they play it right?