When a Permit Becomes a Pretext: Schenectady's Inspector, Profiling, and the Cost of Complacency

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The Call That Crossed a Line

Schenectady’s chief building inspector, Brian Trinci, saw a roofing crew working without a permit. That much is a code violation. But what came next wasn’t about shingles or paperwork. In his 911 call, he described the crew as “Mexican,” speculated they were “illegals,” and floated the idea of calling ICE.

Let’s be real: that’s not neutral enforcement. That’s profiling with a badge. And it turns a routine permit dispute into something uglier—where immigrant workers, or anyone who “looks foreign,” can be treated like suspects for simply doing their jobs.

A Contractor Caught in the Middle

The contractor says his crew are U.S. citizens, that he tried to get the permit sorted out, and that city systems weren’t working properly that day. Instead of finding a way to fix it, the inspector stacked multiple stop-work orders and ratcheted up fines. Eventually, the city reduced the penalties, but the damage was already done. The incident has sparked an internal probe, and the mayor has called it “an embarrassment.”

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about one inspector’s bad judgment. It’s about trust.

Workers—documented or not—shouldn’t fear that an official will weaponize immigration against them when the issue is a piece of paper.

Contractors shouldn’t face arbitrary treatment when city systems break down.

Communities shouldn’t wonder if the people enforcing laws are bringing bias to the job.

And it’s not unique. Across the country, worksite raids and immigration crackdowns have already made construction workers wary of speaking up about safety or wage theft. When local officials toss ICE into the mix, even casually, it silences people further.

This chilling effect has real consequences. If workers think reporting a dangerous scaffold, faulty wiring, or unsafe roof could invite deportation threats, they’ll stay quiet. That silence makes job sites more dangerous for everyone—workers, homeowners, neighbors. Public safety takes a direct hit when fear overrides accountability.

Complacency Is the Real Danger

The city has said the right things so far—“embarrassing,” “poor word choice,” “internal investigation.” But unless there are real consequences, it’s just lip service. Without accountability, without clear policy that bans immigration speculation in code enforcement, we’ll be back here again.

Complacency protects no one. It leaves workers scared, contractors frustrated, and City Hall looking complicit. And it signals to other officials that the line between fair enforcement and outright profiling is negotiable. It shouldn’t be.

What Needs to Change

Accountability that means something. The results of the probe should be public. Not a shrug, not a quiet memo. Schenectady residents deserve to see what happened, what rules were broken, and what comes next.

Clear rules: code enforcement is not immigration enforcement. Period. If city systems go down, there should be a fair process for contractors to stay compliant instead of being punished for tech failures.

Worker safety first. Make it clear—in every language—that reporting hazards or fixing permits will not trigger immigration threats. Safety should always outweigh suspicion.

Data and transparency. Publish enforcement stats so the public can see if some crews get hammered harder than others. Disparities don’t disappear when they’re hidden; they disappear when they’re exposed.

Community roundtables. Bring contractors, labor groups, and immigrant advocates together. Hear their concerns. Show the city is willing to learn from those who live with these policies every day.

Final Word

A permit problem should end with a fee and a fix, not a panic over deportation. If City Hall is serious, this can be a turning point. But if they just wait for the outrage to fade, it sends the message that profiling is fine—as long as you say “oops” after.

And that’s not a city anyone should accept. Schenectady deserves enforcement that is firm, fair, and bias-free. The people who build our homes and keep our neighborhoods safe from leaks and collapse deserve respect—not suspicion.

About the Author

DJ for Change writes about community, justice, and accountability in New York’s Capital District.