SeeClickFix is proud to announce that web service FindMyAccident is making use of our interactive widget to enable citizens to create reports about traffic situations and road conditions.  As FindMyAccident explains, "From potholes and downed power lines, to obstruction and lane closures, SeeClickFix empowers the public to stop accidents before they happen."  

Our widget also adds depth to the accident reporting found at FindMyAccident, while opening the lines of communication and creating a true two-way conversation. With the integration of SeeClickFix, FindMyAccident can use the assistance of local people to help make the roadways safer for everyone.

Like SeeClickFix, FindMyAccident thrives on user interaction.  Readers can upload accident information online, through a smartphone application or share a unique perspective through the comments section. When accidents happen and lives are on the line and every piece of information is a puzzle piece that could complete the picture.

We are excited to work with a cool company that is also using technology to empower communities, and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.

• ·      A Bachelor’s Degree
• ·      Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Docs
• ·      At least one year of sales experience including some cold calling and outside sales
• ·       Worked in the local news business for a start-up or for a local news organization such as a broadcast or newspaper company
• ·      A good sense of humor
• ·      Diligent work ethic

• ·      Fast hands on the Ping Pong table
• ·      Likes bicycles more than cars
• ·      Bilingual
• ·      Multilingual
• ·      A user profile on SeeClickFix with over 200 civic points

• ·      Competitive Salary with commission on sales
• ·      Equity — Everyone who works here owns a bit of the company's success
• ·      Health insurance benefits
• ·      Three weeks paid time off

Our friends at the EDC in New Haven have rallied a last minute space crawl this evening.
The event starts at Make Haven at 266 State Street Tonight at 5:30 and ends at SeeClickFix.

Here's the schedule:

We are excited to announce that this month's winner of the prestigious Knope Award is...Dylan Bakley of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority!  ACUA has used SeeClickFix to address over 800 citizen concerns, and Dylan has been on the front lines for all of them.  He personally updates the citizen requests that come in with enthusiasm and a sense of humor.  Citizens regularly express their gratitude for the prompt and courteous service that Dylan provides through SeeClickFix, demonstrating that citizens and government officials can collaborate constructively and respectfully.  Additionally, the ACUA makes use of SeeClickFix to ensure efficient distribution of recycling buckets, a creative way of using our platform to help the environment.

Dylan is just at the start of his career, and we expect big things from him. (Perhaps a political victory, like Leslie Knope herself?)  He goes above and beyond for the people of Atlantic County, so we're happy to have this opportunity to give him a shout out.  Please join us in congratulating a dedicated civil servant on a job well done!

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your responsibilities: 

I work for the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) in Southern New Jersey as a Database Analyst. I have been working with the Authority for about 2 years and began my current role with the IT department in January of 2011. I work on maintaining the databases, routing of commercial collections trucks, and data acquisition and analysis.

What attracted you about Public Service? 

Growing up I began working local elections as a poll worker, so I've always had an interest in politics and government. When I began studying History and Political Science at Rutgers University I realized that public service, in one form or another, was my calling. It just makes me happy to serve the people in my community

How does SeeClickFix fit in to your job? 

 We began integrating SeeClickFix into our work order system about six months ago. Since then, many residents have been using the platform to notify the Authority of missed collections, report complaints, or request recycling buckets. It’s really been working out pretty well. With 23 municipalities in Atlantic County, we have a variety of different collections. SeeClickFix helps to ensure the issues go to the correct people to get solved. It really keeps the lines of communication open between us and the community. We’ve gotten very positive reactions so far! This year, we are planning on integrating more local public works departments into the system to allow for issues to be addressed more seamlessly for residents.

What is your favorite thing about Leslie Knope and the show Parks and Rec? 

My favorite thing about Leslie Knope would be her dedication to improving her community, no matter what obstacles arise. She challenges the perception of government employees in her town and really tries to do some good. That’s pretty inspirational and a good model for any public employee. But my favorite thing about the show as a whole would have to be Leslie’s boss, Ron Swanson, and his “Swanson Pyramid of Greatness”. Old Wooden Sailing Ships… They’re beautiful.

Click here to learn more about the Knope Award

In the same way that individuals are packing away their winter apparel and tidying up their abodes, municipalities are making provisions for the change that accompanies the warmer weather by doing a little spring cleaning. In Grand Prairie, Alberta, SeeClickFix is playing a supporting role in this process.

The city is coordinating volunteers to pick up the trash that had been hidden in snow drifts. As the Daily Tribune Herald writes, “The city is asking litter pickers to register where they have cleaned on SeeClickFix so others can see what areas have been done.” According to the article, the system the city set up is working. “‘We’ve had lots of people who have expressed interest and gone out already,’ said Lucy Ramirez, education co-ordinator for the environment department at the City of Grande Prairie.”

This is a very creative way to take advantage of SeeClickFix that we haven’t seen before. We’re psyched that Grand Prairie came up with this plan, and love the way that they were able to mobilize effective citizen engagement for this project. Hopefully other cities will take a cue from Grand Prairie, and think about leveraging SeeClickFix the next time they’re getting ready for Spring Cleaning.

Enfield, Conn. -- The Town of Enfield has launched a new program that will allow residents to report quality-of-life issues and request city services through an online and mobile interface. Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to damaged sidewalks and storm damage.

"As new technology continues to emerge, it's important for governments to start embracing the innovative ways they can now communicate with citizens and effect change in the communities we serve," said Matthew Coppler, Town Manager. "This social customer service tool will allow us to accomplish both—and more."

With the online and mobile reporting platform, residents can report quality-of-life concerns through service request categories via the Enfield website, custom mobile applications (iPhone, Android, Blackberry), Facebook App, and SeeClickFix.com. When submitting issues via mobile app, for example, residents can provide locational, descriptive, and photographic information as they see the issue in real time. Once the resident submits an issue, the reporter, Enfield, and anyone 'watching' the area will receive an alert. The town can then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper department, and update the request—and residents following the issue—once it's been resolved.

The partnership allows residents to not only report community issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors. Citizens can even create their own "watch areas" to receive notifications about all issues reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests---not just the ones they report.

"Being based in Connecticut, we're incredibly excited to see the Town of Enfield join surrounding communities as they use the collective power of technology, citizens, and government to improve quality of life and promote active citizenship," said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. "Through our platform, the town offers broader accessibility for reporting issues, strengthens its lines of communication with residents, and works towards resolution."

The Enfield SeeClickFix website can be found at http://www.enfield-ct.gov and residents can download iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps here: http://www.seeclickfix.com/apps.

About SeeClickFix

SeeClickFix allows citizens anywhere in the world to report and monitor non-emergency community issues ranging from potholes and planted trees to garbage and graffiti. Launched in 2008, it empowers citizens, community groups, media organizations, and governments to work together and improve their neighborhoods. Through mobile web, web, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps, the SeeClickFix platform is the most widely-distributed citizen reporting tool in the country. SeeClickFix supports the Open311 standard that promotes improved communication between local municipalities and the citizens they serve. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. Over 60 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit http://www.seeclickfix.com.

Urban planning has traditionally operated on a very long time line.  There is something to be said for this approach, which enabled grand visions to be enacted over the generations of a city’s life.  However, when poor planning or limited foresight led to problems, the feedback mechanisms and flexibility required to address these situations were not in place.  As Peter Bishop and Lesley Williams, author of the book The Temporary City, write, “An Alternative Approach is beginning to emerge.” Trends like the rise in usage of SeeClickFix and the popularity of“Temporary Cities” indicate that this model is being reconsidered, in favor of a more dynamic, fluid approach.

Temporary Cities are intended to be impermanent solutions for permanent features of urban life. Some interesting examples of this trend include the m-hotel in London, and the weekend long mall that appeared in Cambridge, MA. 

Followers of the blog will remember that our CEO Ben Berkowitz recently spoke on a panel in Cambridge, MA about this trend, and an Atlantic Monthly article also highlighted "Temporary Cities."   Cities have begun to embrace this movement as well, like SeeClickFix partner Washington, DC, which has established the Temporary Urbanism Initiative.

This is clearly an exciting trend for those like us who care about the vibrancy and life of cities. Moreover, as a tool that enables citizens to express their vision for their cities, SeeClickFix is well positioned to play an important part in the “Temporary Cities” movement. We look forward to contributing to this trend as it continues to impact the direction of urban planning and feel of our cities.