Fewer New York City Restaurants Closed by Health Inspectors

The number of restaurants closed by New York City health inspectors has dropped by 16 percent in the first 11 months of this fiscal year.

The Daily News says city records show the total is 1,388. That’s down from 1,646 over the same period in 2012.

The city says the decline is due to its letter grade system and stricter inspections.

Health Department spokeswoman Jean Weinberg says about half of all restaurants now earn an “A” grade on their initial inspections and have no fines or inspections for a year.

That means the city’s taking in less money.

The city took in around $30 million in fines from July 2012 through March 30. That’s down 20 percent over the same period in the previous year.