It might sound like a rock concert, but Shred Fest NYC might do more for you than just damage your eardrums.
It could protect your identity.
Officials organizing the inaugural event are asking New Yorkers to bring any documents containing personal information to 11 locations around the city for shredding and secure disposal.
“Identity theft is a significant concern for the city,” said Jonathan Mintz, the commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs, one of the event sponsors.
“Shred Fest is a way to draw attention to the issue and empower people to start helping themselves,” he continued.
The event will take place on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 11 sites citywide.
The Brooklyn locations will be at Brooklyn College, Avenue H and Nostrand Avenue; JJ Byrne Park, at Fifth Avenue and Fifth Street; and at Highland Park, Vermont Place between Highland Boulevard and Jackie Robinson Parkway.
At each location, three massive truck-mounted industrial shredders will do the dirty work.
Stapled documents can be shredded, but documents bound with metal binders will not be accepted.
All the shredded paper will be recycled.
The first 50 Shred Fest participants will receive free personal shredders, donated by Staples, Inc.
Craig Hammerman, the district manager of Community Board 6, which will help host the event in Park Slope, is hopeful residents will come out en masse.
“We are hoping Park Slopers and surrounding communities will seize this opportunity to bring us their documents,” he said.
“Here’s a way that people can combat identity theft and do something for the environment at the same time,” Hammerman added. “What better place to do it than the recycling capital of Brooklyn
