The Street Conditions Observation Unit (SCOUT) is a team of inspectors based in the Mayor's Office of Operations. Their mission is to drive every City street once per month and report conditions that negatively impact quality of life to 311. SCOUT inspectors send reports of conditions they observe to the 311 system, and 311 assigns the conditions to the relevant agency for appropriate corrective action - the very same way that 311 handles complaints from the public.

The goal of the SCOUT program is to improve the street level quality of life in City neighborhoods, while enhancing the responsiveness of City government to quality of life conditions.