A man who quit his job to report idling semi trucks in New York City  claims to make six figures as a semi truck “bounty hunter.”

It is technically illegal for semi trucks to idle in New York City for more than three minutes at a time, but drivers who exceed the limit are rarely caught by law enforcement. Because of this, the city introduced the Citizens Air Complaint Program a few years back. This program allows citizens to report idling semi trucks and keep 25% of the fines issued to the drivers. These fines typically range from $350 to $600. 

One NYC resident, who calls himself “Streeter,” quit his job in marketing two years ago and says he now makes six figures just by reporting idling semi trucks and delivery trucks throughout the city. 

“Shortly after 6, I’m out on my bike, looking for idling trucks,” Streeter said to CBS. “I’m essentially biking 6, 7, 8, 9 hours a day.”

Concerned citizens and lawmakers call the semi truck and delivery truck idling  “a public health issue,” and applaud those who report drivers, but truckers and their advocates say the program is a form of abuse towards a profession that is necessary for the city to operate. 

“They [truckers] find this to be a bounty hunter program,” said Zach Miller, a lobbyist for the Trucking Association of New York.  “They [bounty hunters & lawmakers] do not understand the intricacies of driving a truck in New York City. It is very hard work. There are trucks that have to operate their lift gate 15, 20 times a day.”

“Drive a truck in New York City for a week, and then come back to me and tell me that’s [turning off the engine during a break] an easy solution,” he added. 

Streeter says he makes “in excess of six figures” through the reporting program, but it is not clearly stated whether that is a yearly amount, or over the last two years since he started. New York City has made about $70 million off of the program so far.