SeeClickFix

Lend A Shovel With SnowCrew

2012-01-27T14:00:00.000-05:00

Last year in Jamaica Plain, Neighbors for Neighbors launched its inaugural SnowCrew where it dispatched neighbors on 'shoveling missions' to dig out fellow neighbors needing assistance. This year, SnowCrew will be working with SeeClickFix on a new solution that will directly connect those who need help with those nearby who can and want to help. It will take trial and error to work out the kinks and they need your feedback to help make the tool better. To do so, please join the SnowCrew group.

Luckily, SnowCrew has already seen some positive results after last weekend's snowy conditions. Six days ago, one resident Marcia needed help shoveling on and around her car according to Issue 152118 - Please clear off car and shovel behind and in front and a path from the driver's side door. Within a few hours, another resident John cleared the snow and closed the issue on SeeClickFix. Marcia's response nicely highlights the importance of initiatives like SnowCrew:

We love seeing how individuals harness our technology to make change in their communities and look forward to seeing how SnowCrew connects neighbors in Boston this winter!

Animal Hospital Goes Hi-Tech to Reunite Pets with Owners

2012-01-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

New Haven Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine and SeeClickFix proudly announce an innovative partnership to reunite missing pets with their owners. The hospital will leverage our place-based reporting platform and open-source mapping technology to track lost and found animals in southern Connecticut. From Norwalk and Newtown to Shelton and Seymour, the hospital and surrounding communities alike can use the SeeClickFix interface to search for and recover missing pets across the region—all in real time.

“We’re continually looking for ways to promote the health and safety of animals in towns and cities across the region,” said Ken Aldrich, hospital director. “With its high user base and solution-focused nature, SeeClickFix creates a powerful avenue for reaching more people and provides opportunity for community collaboration in safely returning these pets back home where they belong.”

Having previously received numerous calls about lost and found pets, the hospital wanted a more streamlined and accessible channel through which residents could connect with and communicate information to neighbors and the hospital itself. With our interactive map embedded on its website, the hospital provides an open, social, and more expansive means of disseminating information about lost and found dogs, cats, and other pets.

Through the hospital’s website, individuals can report missing pets through custom categories such as ‘Lost Cat’ or ‘Found Dog’ and specify more in-depth information about the animal through the description or image options, including the animal’s name, breed, gender, and location. Once submitted, the report becomes publicly available and sent to those following the region via real-time email notifications. The hospital and community alike can then provide additional geographic, descriptive, or photographic information and update the report once the animal has been recovered. Veterinary practices, shelters, and residents can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about all lost and found animals reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all submissions---not just the ones they report.

The partnership also allows local veterinary practices in southern Connecticut to embed the reporting platform directly on their websites, providing yet another public service to the communities they serve.

"On a personal note, I'm very excited to launch this new use of the SeeClickFix platform since Central Hospital takes care of my canine companions: Del the puggle and Pepper the mutt who I actually found hunting potholes," said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. "The idea behind using SeeClickFix to recover lost animals actually came from the animal hospital's real cork board with missing pet flyers combined with New Haven users already reporting lost pets through our platform. In fact, our own backyard regularly inspires many of the applications of the SeeClickFix platform across the globe. We hope that many lost pets will be recovered as people start using this tool in a similar fashion."

You can start reporting lost and found pets here: http://www.centralpetvet.com/lostpets.html

Town of Yarmouth Partners with SeeClickFix

2012-01-17T14:47:00.000-05:00

Yarmouth Announces New Partnership with Online, Mobile Citizen Reporting Platform

Town Will Use SeeClickFix to Improve Quality of Life, Encourage Greater Civic Participation

Yarmouth, NS (January 17, 2012) - Today, Mayor Phil Mooney announces 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 litter and flooding to damaged sidewalks and malfunctioning traffic signals.

“In this information age, there’s an increasing need to make local government more accessible to its constituents,” Mooney said. “SeeClickFix does just that.”

With the online and mobile reporting platform, residents can report quality-of-life concerns through service request categories via the Yarmouth 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, Yarmouth, 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 Technology Advisory Committee recommended SeeClickFix to the town council as means of improving government accountability and citizen engagement. 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.

“From Leduc to Grande Prairie, the town of Yarmouth joins a growing list of municipalities across Canada that have decided to see, click, and fix issues in their communities,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “From its mobile apps to Facebook App, the SeeClickFix platform taps into the modern, digitally-connected individual and allows them to more easily communicate concerns to those responsible for fixing them. We’re excited to see how our technology connects the town and its residents to solve problems that affect everyone.”

The Yarmouth SeeClickFix website can be found here: http://townofyarmouth.ca/services/operational-services/e-report-public-works-concern 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 40 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

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Report Problems to Pinellas County With SeeClickFix

2012-01-13T09:37:00.000-05:00

Originally posted on Palm Harbor Patch

Is there a traffic light in your neighborhood that's not working right? Maybe that pothole you hit on your way to work every morning is driving you crazy and you think it should be fixed.

Pinellas County has a new app called "SeeClickFix" which allows residents to report non-emergency problems using a smart phone or a computer. The app allows users to text a message about the problem with the option of sending a photo. People who report problems will get an update from the county via email about what is being done to resolve the issue.

A quick check on the SeeClickFix web page found that people have reported several types of problems including; traffic lights that are mis-timed, graffiti, and trash in empty lots.

You can download the SeeClickFix app from the Apple App Store, Android Market or BlackBerry App World or at the Pinellas County SeeClickFix app page.

With just a few clicks, you can start reporting issues in Pinellas County here!

TGIF(ixed): First Friday

2012-01-06T17:18:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, SeeClickFixers! We're excited to report that 2012 is off to an exciting start here at SeeClickFix World Headquarters. Since the start of a new year is the perfect time to ponder what's ahead, we're celebrating the first Friday of the year with some future fixes we are looking forward to seeing.

It's never too early (or too late) for a little bit of Spring cleaning

Tidying up is a good resolution to set for your home AND for your community! Community Manager Megan Dalton wants to see Issue #145155 - Graffiti cleaned up and closed in Derby, CT this year.

SeeClickFix CEO Ben Berkowitz wants to spend more time with family in 2012. Always a multi-tasker, Ben hopes to plant some trees with his Mom in her New Haven neighborhood this year! With some help from other neighbors and the URI, here's hoping Issue #96960 - Tree Request will be resolved this spring! We have a feeling a green thumb runs in Ben's family.

A fix for Issue #14282 - Left Turn Arrow Needed will help me keep my resolution of saving money in 2012 by keeping my car out of accidents/the mechanics!

Do you have a wish for a future fix? Will a public space improvement in your community help you keep your own New Years resolution? We have a feeling 2012 is going to be YOUR year, so report an issue today! If you live in Connecticut, be sure to add the tag "resolution2012" to your issue and have it added to the Town Resolutions 2012 list being compiled by the New Haven Register, the Middletown Press and the Register-Citizen!

A Year in the Life

2012-01-06T15:42:00.000-05:00

From New Haven and Raleigh to Barcelona and Amsterdam, we SeeClickFix'd across the globe this past year. With the new year just starting, we hope you'll take a quick walk down memory lane with us. Together, we've made a difference. We fixed potholes, planted trees, cleaned trash, recovered from storms, and even found lost animals. We always say potholes can be the gateway drug to civic engagement, and this year proved it. We thank you for playing your role in improving communities all over the world. Keep SeeClickFixin' in 2012!

SeeClickFix Now Ranks Municipalities By Civic Activity and Responsiveness

2012-01-03T15:17:00.000-05:00

With the launch of its new comparative widget, SeeClickFix announces a new way to rank the responsiveness and activity of local municipalities across the globe. Through this effort, SeeClickFix hopes to encourage greater civic engagement, promote accountability from both governments and residents, and expand the channels available for disseminating public information. Coinciding with the launch, SeeClickFix also unveils its new widget generator to offer more expansive and customizable features for government, news media, and users alike for integrating the citizen-reporting platform.

Available today, the comparative widget allows municipalities, news outlets, and residents to visually display the civic activity (Activity Score) and responsiveness (Results Score) of their communities directly on their websites. The Activity Score answers the question “How active is your community?” and is based on the number of the issues, comments, users, and watch areas within specified geographic boundaries—whether it be a city, neighborhood, or block. The Results Score is based on how many issues have been resolved in that same area.

The comparative widget allows individuals to select the regions they want to compare, from large metropolitan areas like New York City and Chicago to Boston neighborhoods like Beacon Hill and the North End. Once generated, the widget will sort the selected communities by their scores and also include their site statistics. For example, users can see how many comments have been posted or how many issues have been closed.

In conjunction with this feature, SeeClickFix also released its new widget generator to allow for greater functionality and customization of its text and map widgets. Already embedded on hundreds of websites, the map and text widgets put the power of the SeeClickFix platform directly on your website—publicly communicating and visualizing non-emergency issues from problems like potholes and graffiti to improvements like planting trees and installing bike racks. From platforms like Blogger and Tumblr to news websites like Boston.com and Washington Post Local, anyone can connect with their targeted audiences over the most pressing concerns in their communities through SeeClickFix.

Through these dynamic widgets, SeeClickFix users can submit and monitor problems, post comments, vote to fix issues or update their status, and sign up to receive real-time alerts. Anything submitted will sync with the other channels including SeeClickFix.com, Facebook App, and smartphone applications for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. Once submitted, the issue will become publicly available and also sent to anyone signed up to receive alerts for the geographic region, allowing important information to be quickly and efficiently communicated.

With the widget generator, users can customize SeeClickFix for their site based on widget type, color palette, layout and dimensions, status and keyword filters, and geographic region. When generating the widget, users can now select custom categories to display only certain types of issues on the widget, from ‘Bike Concern’ and ‘Blighted Property’ to ’Snow’ and ‘Sidewalk.’

The new widget generator can be found here.

City of Coatesville Joins SeeClickFix Family

2011-12-16T09:45:00.000-05:00

Coatesville Announces New Partnership with Online, Mobile Citizen Reporting Platform

City Will Use SeeClickFix to Improve Quality of Life, Encourage Greater Civic Participation

Coatesville, PA (December 16, 2011) - Today, City Manager Gary Rawlings announces 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 illegal dumping and snow removal.

“With this emerging technology, the City of Coatesville hopes to further manage and foster a safe and vibrant community for all who inhabit and visit our city,” Rawlings said. “We’re hoping this partnership emphasizes the importance we place on communicating with those we serve and responding to constituent concerns in an efficient and public manner.”

With the online and mobile reporting platform, residents can report quality-of-life concerns through service request categories via the Coatesville 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, Coatesville, 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.

“As the years progress, more and more communities are bridging that gap between offline and online engagement through digital tools like SeeClickFix,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “The City of Coatesville serves as an excellent example of government harnessing these technological advances to connect with citizens and solve real problems in the public space.”

The Coatesville SeeClickFix website can be found here: http://www.coatesville.org/report-an-issue-with-coatesville 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 www.seeclickfix.com.

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Report Collection Issue Or Request Recycling Bucket With Your Smartphone

2011-12-05T10:45:00.000-05:00

Beginning in December, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) is expanding the options available to residents, businesses and visitors alike for requesting services and reporting non-emergency problems.

SeeClickFix allows citizens to report and monitor non-emergency issues, such as a missed recycling pick up. Launched in 2008, SeeClickFix empowers citizens, community groups, media organizations and governments to work together and improve their neighborhoods.

Through the SeeClickFix website and a variety of smartphone apps, the SeeClickFix platform is the most widely distributed citizen reporting tool in the country. The platform is not only fun and easy to use, it also promotes improved communication between citizens and their local governments.

“With this expansive and public platform, residents can directly communicate concerns to the ACUA and more actively participate in resolving issues,” said Rick Dovey, ACUA president. “Through this system, we are improving the way we address customer service issues,” Dovey added.

When submitting issues via mobile app, residents have the ability to provide a detailed description, use their smartphone GPS to accurately locate, and even attach a photo of the issue. A service request is generated and updates on the case are sent automatically to the community about the service request’s progress. With a few clicks, the problem can be on its way to resolution.

SeeClickFix also allows residents to view, comment on, vote to ﬁx and even share on social media, the service requests. They 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.

“SeeClickFix provides a social platform for exchanging information and engaging individuals,” said Dovey. “From Atlantic City to Hammonton and from Port Republic to Corbin City, citizens can become empowered to connect with each other and the ACUA over problems that affect them in very direct ways,” Dovey noted.

Look for SeeClickFix on ACUA’s website and Facebook page in mid-December. Download the mobile apps here.

SeeClickFix Wins Innovation Pipeline Award

2011-11-29T14:13:00.000-05:00

Sponsored by the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC), the Fifth Annual Innovation Pipeline Awards recently honored SeeClickFix with its 'Most Promising New Internet/New Media Company of the Year' award. This year, the CTC selected approximately 65 companies for its "CT Tech Companies to Watch," which celebrates the most promising early stage and emerging technology companies in Connecticut identified by the CTC as having the best potential to be a successful enterprise. Among the companies, five (including SeeClickFix) received awards in their given category from new media to life sciences. Luckily, we've acquired some footage of SeeClickFix co-founder and CSO Kam Lasater accepting the award below. Enjoy!

Registration open for inaugural SeeClickFix PhotoFix competition!

2011-11-16T11:37:00.001-05:00

To celebrate the end of an exciting year at SeeClickFix, and to help close out 2011 with lots of newly closed issues, we are hosting our inaugural PhotoFix competition here in New Haven! Residents and shutterbugs (both amateur and pro) are encouraged to join us from November 28th through December 2nd and compete to take home various honors including the title of PhotoFix Champion!

We’ll be ranking competitors on number of points earned, most photos added to open issues, most issues closed with pictures of the fix, and, of course, the best photograph added to both an open issue and a closed issue. The competition starts Monday, November 28th and you can start searching for issues without photos by navigating to SeeClickFix.com/New-Haven. Points will be awarded based on the following criteria:

• Reporting new issue with photo- 1pt
• Adding photo to issue- 2pts
• Closing issue with photo - 3pts

PhotoFix awards include honors for uploading the most photos (Snapshot Award) and closing the most issues with corresponding photo (Fixer-Upper Award). The person with the most points overall will be
dubbed the PhotoFix Champion. In addition to honed artistic skills and a cleaned-up community, the PhotoFix Champion will earn serious bragging rights and their profile crowned with the first of many
soon-to-launch SeeClickFix badges!

Ready to tell issues in your community “Say Cheese!”? Sign up today! Registration for the SeeClickFix PhotoFix competition is open through November 26th. If you don’t already have one, you must sign up for a SeeClickFix account so our team can track your progress. With your account you can report and update issues via mobile app, SeeClickFix.com, our Facebook app, or through widgets embedded on sites such as the New Haven Register. Make sure you (and all of your photographer friends!) click here and sign up by November 26th!

SubSeries Hosting Urban Design Event

2011-11-15T11:23:00.000-05:00

A few months back, we told you about SubSeries' partnership with our citizen-reporting platform. This initiative serves as a sequence of design conversations that brings together architects, planners, artists, and writers to produce visionary drawings that radically re-imagine the public space of eleven New York City subway stations. The year-long project is curated by Baukunst, the design partnership of Elizabeth Lasater and Nico Weiss, and documented in a recently completed cataloge of drawings and essays.

This Saturday (November 19th), the SubSeries Team will be hosting a "Night School" event at Columbia University's Studio-X (180 Varick Street). The format with include a tour of several subway stations and discussion followed by a mini design workshop. This coincides with the completion of their 100+ SubSeries catalogue (an online edition can be found here). If you're in the NYC area this weekend, you should definitely check out this excellent project.

Help Us Monitor the Polls on Election Day

2011-11-08T10:31:00.000-05:00

Original Post on CTNewsJunkie.com

Are you having a problem at your polling place? You can keep your neighbors and key public officials informed about voting irregularities by publicly documenting them in real time here with SeeClickFix and CTNewsJunkie. The map below is designed to help you report problems experienced during voting. It is not a way to report life-threatening emergencies — just problems casting your ballot.

Click on “Report an Issue” and drag the marker to the rough location of your polling place in your town, and then click “Report Here” to fill out the form. The address does not need to be exact, but be sure to list the name of your polling place in your report.

Do not include your personal information in your report unless you are OK with that information being published on the Internet and visible to readers here.

For information on Connecticut’s voting identification requirements, click here.

Click here for the Voter’s Bill of Rights.

For Spanish language forms and voting requirements for people with disabilities, click here.

Remember, if for some reason your name was omitted from the list of registered voters in your town, request a provisional ballot and vote before you leave your polling place.

If you would like to contact the Secretary of the State Denise Merrill’s office directly about your problem, you can call 860-509-6100 or email them here. The Secretary’s office will be monitoring issues reported here. If you feel you have spoken to everyone available at your polling place and still need to file a formal complaint, notify the moderator at your polling place, and then call Elections Enforcement at 866-733-2463 (Press 1 or stay on the line). The U.S. Dept. of Justice can be reached at 1-800-253-3931.

When you report an issue below, include your first name, polling place, and any or all of the following keywords in your report to be sure it gets through to the right people: voting vote “polling place” “election day” poll election ballot ballots “missing ballots” “missing ballot”

Note: The Office of the Secretary of State will be monitoring issues reported through SeeClickFix via watch area; email notifications will be forwarded to elections@ct.gov.

Rock the Vote

2011-11-04T10:36:00.000-04:00

With Election Day just around the corner (read: Tuesday), Ivan Lajara (@ivanlajara) of the Kingston Daily Freeman recently discussed making an 'Election Day Problems Widget' using SeeClickFix. We thought this was such an interesting application of our technology and wanted to share it with you here. From long lines to glitchy machines, there's always something happening at your polling place. This year, keep both your neighbors and public officials informed about voting irregularities by publicly documenting them in real time. From news outlets to community organizations, anyone can create his or her very-own Election Day Map with a few easy clicks.

1. Go to SeeClickFix.com/widget and click "Generate a Map Widget Now!"
2. On the "Create a Map Widget" page, you'll be able to set the preferences for your widget from inputting the correct location to creating the desired widget dimensions. As Ivan states, you should make the primary tab the "Report Form" to encourage more individuals to submit voting issues.

Under "Options," you'll see the section entitled "Filter by Keyword." This allows you to only display issues containing certain keywords or phrases on your map. For instance, you might consider filtering for the following: voting vote "polling place" "election day" poll election.

Similarly, you can also create a "Default Issue Summary" for the widget. With this option, the report form would feature a suggested summary when users report issues through the widget. For example, you could make the default issue summary "Voting Problem" or "Election Day Issue." Finish completing the form and input your contact information.

3. Click "Create Widget" and embed the code onto your website (as we did below).

Your browser does not support iframes. Try it from <a href="/" target="_blank">www.SeeClickFix.com</a>

4. Spread the word! Make sure your audience knows they can highlight any issues they encounter on Election Day directly on your website.

A Job Well Done

2011-11-03T11:46:00.000-04:00

By Jeff Mooney, Partnership Director at SeeClickFix

When speaking with different cities about our Connect and CRM Plus services, I see firsthand the different ways citizens use SeeClickFix to engage with their local municipality and each other. Over this past weekend, we had an early snowstorm in New England that has caused quite a few problems. In the midst of all the power outages, downed trees, and debris, there was one post that jumped out at me.

Reported just three days ago through Courant.com, Issue #136357 - dumping greatly diminished due to new park stated that "a parcel of wasteland now a new park near the design center has practically eliminated a huge dumping problem." So far, it has been viewed by 16 people and another user, Brendan, closed the issue and encouraged the initial reporter to call 311 with her gratitude.

This got me thinking, what has your city/town recently resolved that you want to highlight as a job well done? SeeClickFix works to improve communities across the globe and you can easily share your posting via Twitter (@SeeClickFix) and Facebook.

Startup weekend - Put Your Time Where Your Mouth Is

2011-11-01T18:34:00.004-04:00

I received an email yesterday from a New Havener excited for the coming start-up weekend. He has an idea for a mobile application that will tie in with a previously developed local mapping resource. His question was around the feasibility of building the project in 1 weekend and if it should be a native app.

The app that he is looking to build can easily be built in a weekend by a junior web developer thanks to the google maps API. It does not need to be a native mobile app thanks to javascript, gmaps v3 and html5. Its that same API that I was able to create a proof of concept and questionably minimum viable product version of SeeClickFix. Really Kam and Jeff created the MVP but I got pretty close with amateur developer skills. Our use of that API and the growth of SeeClickFix has but us in the thankful but sometimes uncomfortable position of being one of the .35 Percent of platforms (Those with more than 25K map loads/day) that will have to pay google for their API service come January. (A blog on dependance on open API's coming soon)

In the email there were questions about the business viability of the product and I wanted to address that more thoroughly here:

Startup weekend is about sitting down and putting your time (at least one weekend) where your mouth is. Its about doing the same thing that the SeeClickFix founders and so many like us did when they launched their ideas. Startup weekend is a great place for those with a hunch to create the test. Do you have a hunch that your idea might improve someone else's life or fill the demand of a business or organization? No business plan or financial modeling will tell you 100% if you're right so why not build it? Why not do it at start up weekend?

SeeClickFix was only a thought 4 years ago this Thanksgiving. Today it is in the top 1% of websites making use of the googlemaps API. We had a hunch that we would scale. We didn't know for sure if it would have a revenue model or if we even wanted to quit our day jobs and make a business of it. We did know that SeeClickFix would solve a problem for at least one of the founders was having. In about 4 hours we had a product that allowed our friends to share their insight in the value. In three months, with 4 co-founders all with other day jobs, we had a minimum viable project for others to use that proved our hunch correct.

Since the launch of SCF we've had many more hunches about what would be useful. We are constantly reminding ourselves to not be over certain of our hunches without testing. We try to remind ourselves to 'release early and often' and learn from where we were right or wrong...just like an experiment. None of this is ground breaking for those in start-ups but it may be for those attending a start-up weekend for the first time. This process is relatively unfamiliar to the traditional business world.

My thoughts for start-up weekenders and potential start-up weekenders:

1) This is not a business competition this is a science experiment.
2) Don't over think things. Worry about solving one problem no matter how simple.
3) If you're having fun, you like your team and others find what you've built useful set a recurring meeting time to work on the project every weekend.
4)We are arguably in one of the greatest periods of innovation in history. The amount of possibilities for creation has increased exponentially in the past 15 years and you should be a part of it. You're great grandparents would be jealous and your great grand children may be too.

-Ben

To find Start-Up Weekends near you: http://startupweekend.org/

Reporting Neighborhood Nuisances Just A Click Away

2011-11-01T13:50:00.000-04:00

Need to report a neighborhood problem such as graffiti or illegal building? There’s an app for that. Walnut Creek residents can now report code violations through their smartphone or online, thanks to a new program called SeeClickFix.

Residents simply snap a photo of the problem, then submit it along with a description of the problem and the location.

As soon as the complaint is submitted, the City’s Code Enforcement Division receives an alert. The division will either research the problem or forward the complaint to the proper authority. Once the problem has been resolved, the resident gets a follow-up email.

To download the app, go to SeeClickFix.com/apps. Complaints may also be submitted online at SeeClickFix.com.

The City hopes SeeClickFix will make it easier for residents to partner with Code Enforcement in ensuring the quality of life throughout Walnut Creek, said Housing Manager Laura Simpson, who manages the Code Enforcement Division. In addition to being an easy way to report community issues, SeeClickFix allows residents to view and comment on problems already identified in their neighborhood.

Code Enforcement, part of the Community Development Department, is responsible for enforcing provisions of the City’s Municipal Code that involve quality of life issues such as debris; illegal or unpermitted signs; miscellaneous zoning violations; abandoned vehicles and RV parking complaints; and graffiti.

For more information about Code Enforcement, including other ways to submit complaints, visit Walnut-creek.org/nuisance.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crowdsourcing

2011-10-31T11:21:00.000-04:00

Generally speaking, we don't like being associated with the word "idiot." That being said, we could not have been more excited when SeeClickFix was recently featured in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crowdsourcing.

Coined in 2006 by Wired writer Jeff Howe, 'crowdsourcing' involves the "new opportunities cropping up due to our interconnected world, vast online communities, and cutting-edge communications tools" (as described by Howe). What does that mean? Tapping the power of many to get things done. And that's exactly what SeeClickFix does.

We like to say that two heads are better than one and 300 heads are better than two. Since the government can't be in all places at all times, SeeClickFix makes it easy and fun for everyone to document concerns in their neighborhoods from potholes and graffiti to planting trees and installing bike racks. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can communicate with your local government officials, media outlets, and fellow neighbors---effecting real, positive change in communities across the globe.

In Chapter 21 "Organizing for Crowd Action," author Aliza Sherman discusses how SeeClickFix fits into this idea of crowdsourcing civic innovation. With platforms like SeeClickFix, individuals can raise awareness about problems and apply pressure to those responsible for resolution. As the author notes, however, crowdsourcing civic innovation can only be as effective as "the city officials or people in positions with the power to implement the ideas and make change happen." Read more about how SeeClickFix harnesses the power of crowds in the excerpt below:

SeeClickFix (seeclickfix.com) encourages citizens to report their concerns about their neighborhoods using their website, mobile applications, voice-mail, and widgets that can be embedded into websites and blogs, pulling in neighborhood maps and pinpointing problems. The site involves citizens, community groups, government, and the media to report and track nonemergency issues anywhere in the world. The site also runs analyses to see how cities around the world respond to citizens requests and reports.

The site taps into the crowd and aggregates input to provide on-the-scene intelligence that no single agency or organization can provide. Bringing issues to the attention of those who can take action and then seeing action taken empowers and engages citizens in new ways. Citizens can also alert others to a problem and set up watch areas to monitor the situation. This could include anything from broken windows and potholes to traffic issues and crime reports. You can help fix a problem by publicly broadcasting the issue to the appropriate parties for resolution. The crowd works together to raise the profile of key concerns or by taking collective and direct action (pg. 286).

CityCamp Colorado 2011

2011-10-27T11:03:00.000-04:00

This Friday, CityCamp Colorado 2011 will again bring together a great group of people dedicated to enhancing access to government in the Centennial State. SeeClickFix is proud to be a sponsor of this year's participant-driven unconference, organized by Open Colorado.

While the theme of this year's CityCamp Colorado is "Enhancing Access to Government", the topics and discussions are decided by the participants. Open Colorado's Brian Gryth explained the importance of the theme, for both citizens and government, on their blog.

We chose access to government as the theme because citizens are becoming both more engaged and more frustrated with government. Furthermore, they are becoming more active and mobile. Thus, they expect the government to respond to their needs on modern day terms.

Tools such as the internet, social media, smartphones, and others hold the promise of improving government, but it's up to citizens and local governments to utilize these tools and fulfill this promise. Participants at CityCamp Colorado will be discussing how local government can improve access to services, make information easier to find, and create meaningful citizen engagement using modern technology. The organizers at CityCamp Colorado seek to create innovative and practical solutions to make cities and other local communities more open and “user friendly"; clearly a goal near and dear to our collective heart here at SeeClickFix.

The unconference kicks off tomorrow with an hour of Ignite presentations to help spark discussions and ideas for the day. Our very own Jeff Mooney will be attending this year's CityCamp Colorado, as well as giving an Ignite presentation. If you're there, be sure to say hello!

Check out the cool work CityCamp Colorado organizer's Open Colorado does here!

Meeting of the Minds

2011-10-17T16:23:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, SeeClickFix CEO Ben Berkowitz joined fellow leaders and innovators from across the globe for the annual Meeting of the Minds. The two-day event sought to challenge "old paradigms with untold urban sustainability innovations and fresh ideas from around the world." With its reputation in sustainability, Boulder served as the perfect backdrop for this year's conference which focused on the role innovation plays in effecting post-carbon urban environments.

Ben spoke alongside Mayor Ron Littlefield of Chattanooga and John Williams, senior VP of HDR Engineering Inc, on a panel entitled "Sourcing Urban Innovations from the Bottom Up + from the Top Down – Empowering City Dwellers Through Open Source/Smart Apps"---try saying that ten times fast.

Throughout the session, they discussed how innovative organizations (like SeeClickFix) discover new ways to harness the collective knowledge of city dwellers to solve both simple and difficult urban problems from monitoring traffic and pollution to pinpointing potholes and other infrastructure concerns. In the process of employing new technologies, municipalities can engage the public and promote "sustainability, smarter planning, and action-oriented policy dialogue." To learn more about this topic (and see Ben rockin' his sportcoat), check out the session's video below!

TGIF(ixed): Found Feline Friday

2011-10-14T17:01:00.000-04:00

This TGIF(ixed) goes out to our furry friends and the SeeClickFixers who love them. When a house cat named Lucy recently went missing in the SOHU neighborhood of New Haven, her owner turned to SeeClickFix to ask neighbors to keep an eye out for the missing feline.

If you see a brown and black cat looking like the one in this picture hiding around your house or backyard, please call... her name is Lucy and she got out of the house on Sunday and has not been able to find her way back.

The SeeClickFix community in Lucy's neighborhood quickly shared the issue on Twitter and posted comments, updates and questions on the original issue. One user even shared a tip on how to help the missing kitty find her way home.

oh and one more thing...in the city it is hard for cats to figure out their homes when they roam...if you have a dirty litter box I suggest just putting some around the property....so she can smell her home. I know it is gross....but does help. you can do it in a neat way.

We can't be certain if it was this advice from a fellow user, the help of concerned neighbors, or Lucy's sense of direction, but over a week after she was reported missing Lucy and her owner were reunited!

Inspired by this story and similar issues reported through our platform recently, SCF CEO Ben Berkowitz even created a new website that allows residents in New Haven to report and monitor lost cat issues using SeeClickFix powered reporting tools. The SeeClickFix team gets excited about ALL issues that are resolved on our site, but this fix is really the cat's meow*!

*Disclaimer: SeeClickFix Community Managers Megan (who spotted this awesome issue!) and Emma are both self-admitted cat ladies.

Quincy Partners with SeeClickFix to Launch Mobile Constituent Service App

2011-10-12T15:57:00.000-04:00

Quincy, Mass. (October 12, 2011) - Mayor Thomas Koch announces a new partnership that will increase and expand how Quincy residents can request city services and report non-emergency problems. Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based mobile and online reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to litter and broken streetlights.

"We are hoping to leverage this comprehensive platform to increase efficiency when responding to service requests while improving the city's infrastructure and quality of life along the way," Koch said. "And, more important, SeeClickFix will help us empower the citizens we serve and push them to actively engage with each other, their neighborhoods, and us."

Currently, residents can submit requests to the Constituent Service system only through the city's website. With this partnership, however, residents will now be able to use their smartphones when participating with local government. The free SeeClickFix app is available on iPhone, Android, and Blackberry platforms.

For residents, this new tool will enable reporting of service items such as potholes and graffiti in real-time. Once the mobile app is downloaded, a resident can use the app to take a photo of the problem, select a service category, and report it to the city. The app records location information via the phone's GPS capabilities.

Another benefit of this partnership is to strengthen the existing ties SeeClickFix had with the City of Quincy. Residents could previously report issues through SeeClickFix on sites such as Boston.com and Patriotledger.com. Prior to this partnership, however, those requests were not formally logged into the city's system. Now, residents can seamlessly use SeeClickFix to report problems in the same way they had been using the constituent service system on the city's website.

“We’re excited to see how Quincy promotes citizen involvement and enacts offline results with our technology,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “With our online tool and mobile apps, we place the power directly in the hands of the city’s residents and hope this partnership allows them to realize their full potential as citizens.”

Residents are encouraged to download the mobile app on their smartphone; it can also be found by searching for ‘SeeClickFix.' More information is also available via SeeClickFix.com.

SeeClickFix Partners with Maine's Newspaper of Record

2011-10-07T15:59:00.000-04:00

SeeClickFix welcomed a new media partner to the family this week with the launch of our service on Maine's newspaper of record for over a century, Bangor Daily News! The outlet partnered with us to offer a platform by which readers can voice their concerns and advocate for quality-of-life issues to be fixed.

From a left-turn arrow needed in Bangor to neglected roads in Orono, over 130 issues have been reported across Vacationland since Wednesday when Bangor Daily News implemented our reporting tools and introduced SeeClickFix to their readers. Issues can be viewed and submitted through our widgets on their statewide news page, as well as through their regional pages for Portland, Bangor, and Aroostook County. As with all SeeClickFix media partners, issues reported by Bangor Daily News readers can become the focus of stories, features and investigations by journalists covering the region.

In addition to submitting new issues, Bangor Daily News readers can use the new SeeClickFix powered forms to support the concerns of friends and neighbors by sharing comments, voting to fix, adding pictures and more. Citizens who wish to work with their local government to resolve community problems can also use SeeClickFix tools such as our watch area feature. Creating a watch area allows citizens to sign up elected officials or municipal departments to receive email alerts about issues submitted locally, helping everyone to take an active role in improving their community!

SeeClickFix is proud to welcome Bangor Daily News and their readers to our growing community of media outlets and users!

Grande Prairie Announces Online Service Request Pilot Program

2011-10-04T11:30:00.001-04:00

Grande Prairie, AB (October 4, 2011) - Today, Mayor Bill Given announces a new pilot program that will allow residents to report non-emergency issues and request city services through an online and mobile platform.

“This new tool will empower all city residents to actively participate in improving the quality of life and infrastructure in our neighbourhoods,” Given said. “SeeClick-Fix will ensure service requests or concerns get to the right person the first time and allow residents to keep updated on the status of their request."

The City of Grande Prairie will initially use SeeClickFix to accept online service requests for the Transportation Department only. A limited trial will ensure a smooth and efficient implementation once the city decides to expand the service to other departments.

“We [Department of Strategic Services] had been looking at a few alternatives to enable online service requests through our website,” said Shawn Tucker, Web Analyst for Strategic Services. “SeeClickFix was the obvious choice due to excellent support for mobile devices, transparency, simplicity, and interactivity for the user.”

Residents can report common concerns through service request categories via the Grande Prairie website, mobile app, Facebook page, and SeeClickFix.com. They can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about issues reported in their community.

“The Internet has proven to be a powerful tool for connecting individuals over shared concerns. As we expand across North America, we’re excited to see how the City of Grande Prairie harnesses our online technology to make offline results,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “With our mobile and online platform, citizens become empowered to engage with each other and their local government over problems that affect them in very direct ways.”

Direct any media requests to Shawn Tucker: 780-538-0443 or Stucker@cityofgp.com

City of Shoreline Tests New Online Reporting Tool

2011-10-03T17:29:00.012-04:00

Shoreline, WA (October 3, 2011)- Reporting non-emergency issues to the City just got easier! The City is testing a new online reporting tool that will expand how Shoreline residents can report non-emergency issues. Using a smartphone application, residents can report a pothole or other problem to the City without having to search for phone numbers or addresses.

The SeeClickFix application reports problems instantly. It uses GPS to locate the coordinates of the issue and allows residents to take a picture and submit it with their report. Residents can also provide a brief description and contact information in case follow-up is necessary.

When an issue is reported using SeeClickFix, an email is sent to the city department responsible for investigating the issue. Residents can follow the status of their report, along with the status of other reports, on the city's website.

The application is free to download and can be found by searching for "SeeClickFix" in a smartphone's application marketplace. If residents do not have a smartphone, they can submit issues using SeeClickFix directly from the City’s website.

If residents would prefer to speak with someone directly about an issue, they can always call the Customer Response Team at (206) 801-2700 or visit City Hall.

Providing the best customer service possible is a priority at the City of Shoreline. City staff are always looking for ways to improve the ease and convenience for residents in communicating with the City. The SeeClickFix application is at the forefront of resident to local government communication.

Direct any media inquiries to Tho Dao, Information Systems Manager: Tdao@shorelinewa.gov or 206-801-2341

TGIF(ixed): Let there be light!

2011-09-30T16:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday, SeeClickFixers! With the seasons changing and our daylight hours dwindling, TGIF(ixed) this week is focused on fixes that have helped shed some light on city streets this week. From burnt-out street lights to broken traffic signals, these newly closed issues have SeeClickFix users saying TGIF(ixed), just in time for the dark winter months.

Although we just announced our partnership with Marshall, Michigan yesterday, the city has been hard at work fixing issues before we shared the good news! On Tuesday, the Marshall Electric Department repaired not one, not two, but three broken streetlights reported to SeeClickFix, one of which had been out since July!

An impossibly short green light in the Annex neighborhood of New Haven was causing serious traffic down a major road. Tired of the bumper-to-bumper conditions caused by the short light, Jean McAulay reported Issue #125326 through the SeeClickFix widget on the New Haven Register website. She wrote:

The green light on Rt. 1, Forbes Avenue, at the intersection of Wheeler street is only on for 15 seconds, causing backups every morning and evening rush hour. In the evening traffic is backed up all the way to the bridge because of this light. This is the only light that stays on for such a short time all the way to Woodward Avenue, and there is never any cross traffic at the light so there is no reason for the green light to be so short when so much traffic backs up!

The Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking quickly responded to let Jean know that the traffic signal was state controlled. Shortly after, another commenter said that she had passed the complaint along to CT DOT. Friday morning, Jean closed the issue and shared with SeeClickFixers that the traffic light had been fixed!

What better way to start (or end) Friday (or any day, really) than by closing a fixed issue on SeeClickFix? We're not sure either.

Marshall Adopts New Citizen Reporting Tool for Community Concerns

2011-09-29T11:21:00.000-04:00

Marshall, MI (September 29, 2011) - Today, Director of Public Services Carl Fedders announces a new partnership that will allow residents to report non-emergency issues and request city services through an online and mobile platform. Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to tree requests and broken streetlights.

“With this comprehensive and accessible platform, we’re able to increase our efficiency when responding to constituent service requests and improve the city’s infrastructure along the way,” Fedders said. “More important, we’re hoping SeeClickFix will empower our citizens to become actively engaged with each other, their neighborhoods, and local government.”

Through SeeClickFix, residents can report quality-of-life concerns through service request categories via the city web site, custom mobile phone applications (iPhone, Android, Blackberry), SeeClickFix.com, and/or the SeeClickFix Facebook app. 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, the city, and anyone ‘watching’ the area will receive alerts. The city of Marshall 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.

“We expect a very positive response from our citizens because SeeClickFix will not only highlight the city’s emphasis on holding itself accountable, but also help improve the quality of life for citizens,” said Tom Tarkiewicz, City Manager. “It will further enhance the lines of communication between local government and the citizens it serves.

The partnership allows residents to not only report community issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by others through SeeClickFix’s interactive maps. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about all issues reported in their neighborhood or city, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests and not just the ones they report.

“We’re excited to see how Marshall promotes citizen involvement and enacts offline results with our technology,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “With the online and mobile platform, we place the power directly in the hands of the city’s residents.”

The Marshall SeeClickFix website can be found here and residents can download iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps here.

Staff will be presenting more information to City council at the October 3rd work session at six PM inside the council chambers located at 323 W. Michigan Avenue.

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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. Over 40 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

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Street Fight Summit

2011-09-27T11:40:00.000-04:00

Street Fight has just announced the line-up for Street Fight Summit, a two-day conference in New York City on October 25-26 where industry leaders from companies like SeeClickFix, Yipit, Foursquare, Gilt City, Patch, and Topix will convene to discuss the burgeoning hyperlocal marketplace.

Our own Kam Lasater (@seekayel), SeeClickFix co-founder, will be a featured speaker at the summit where he will discuss alternative revenue models. With old media trying to figure out how to save their local markets and small indie blogs feeling indignant about corporate media encroaching on their space, all parties have a big stake in the business models that will survive in the hyperlocal marketplace. Attendees of the Street Fight Summit will hear from industry leaders, such as Lasater, who are blazing the path to sustainable hyperlocal business.

Learn more about the conference here.

Shift & Reset (and go to this workshop!)

2011-09-20T15:11:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow afternoon, The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and the Fairfield County Community Foundation are hosting a special workshop that the SeeClickFix team would definitely encourage you to check out. "How to Adapt When Everything Around You is Changing: A Nonprofit Organization Survival Guide" will be held on Wednesday, September 21 at 4pm at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, CT.

Brian Reich, author of Shift and Reset: Strategies for Addressing Serious Issues In A Connected Society, will be discussing essential strategies about taking advantage of rapidly changing technologies and new communication techniques in a connected society. In Shift & Reset, Reich explores and addresses some of the serious issues facing our always-on society. His book also features interviews and essays from over leaders in the communication and technology industries, including our very own Ben Berkowitz.

Think it can't get any better? Well, it can! The event is free and open to the public! Reservations are requested and you can save your spot by sending an R.S.V.P. to info@culturalalliancefc.org or by calling 203-256-2329.

If you are in or around Fairfield County tomorrow afternoon, we definitely recommend checking out this event!

For more information about this awesome event, click here!

From Frustrating to Fixed - Let's Smarten Up the Road

2011-09-20T12:49:00.000-04:00

Cars running a stop sign in Brooklyn, New York. Congestion on a bridge in Portland, Oregon. A deep pothole in Chicago, Illinois. These are three of thousands of issues that have been reported by SeeClickFix users frustrated with the state of our roads. Whether driving on the highway in Washington, DC or riding along a Boston bike lane, it's clear that our users are giving roads failing grades from coast to coast. With this in mind, SeeClickFix is on a mission with Audi of America to smarten up our roads.

This partnership is part of a larger initiative called The Road Frustration Index (RFI). Developed by Audi and the SENSEable City lab at M.I.T, the RFI aims to quantify the many factors that lead to driver frustration - such as traffic, incidents, weather and driver sentiment. Data collected through the RFI will be used to help give motorists a better sense of the driving conditions they face each day in American metropolitan areas.

Not all roads are created equal, and for those frustrated drivers who want to know what city streets are better or worse off than their own will find the Road Frustration Index to be a handy tool. The RFI allows drivers to see exactly how their city streets stack up compared to roads in other metropolitan areas. Whether you want to compare traffic in Los Angeles and New York City, or size up driver sentiment in Sacramento versus Houston, the RFIs interactive tools make it easy to examine the frustrations drivers around America face on the road every day.

Audi and the SENSEable City lab at M.I.T use real-time data from sources such as Weather.com, Twitter and NAVTEQ to help drivers navigate roads across the country, without having to step foot into a car. The total RFI score for a city can change throughout the course of a day is determined by quantifying incoming data about road conditions.

After you've checked out the RFI score for your city you may be asking "what's next?". This is where SeeClickFix comes in. SeeClickFix believes our partnership with Audi will help empower more people to advocate for their city streets to be fixed. Drivers can publicly report problems they see on-the-go*, helping to transform roads in their community from frustrating to fixed.

Check out the Road Frustration Index and be sure to let us know how your city stacks up. Want to help your hometown earn the bragging rights of being the least frustrating place to drive? Improve the RFI score by reporting that nasty pothole or congested stretch of road to SeeClickFix and help us smarten up the road!

*We love our mobile apps, but do not report on-the-go while driving! Driving and operating a phone is not only frustrating, it's dangerous.

Everyday We're Hustlin...

2011-09-20T08:24:00.001-04:00

I was struck this week by the geographical distribution of the ten employees of SeeClickFix. In 5 days our small team has been spread over three continents and 10 events helping to spread the word about open government, greater civic participation and the platform that can make it happen.

Last week I attended #Picnic11 in Amsterdam as panelist in a conversation about civic platforms with IStrategy Labs, Code For America and the City of Boston. Today Megan leaves for Bogota, Columbia for her first trip out of the country to speak at Social Media Week Bogota. Kam participated in an event at MIT this weekend, attended an OSF event in NYC last night and is attending and Omidyar event today in NYC. I will be there as well but will also be attending the announcement of the historic Open Government Partnership at Google. Jeff Mooney is attending the International City Managers Association event in Wisconsin and Jason is brushing up on his mobile skills at the Appcelerator event in San Diego. To round out the week I leave for Boulder, CO tomorrow where I will be graciously hosted by the Mayor of Boulder for the Meeting of The Minds event.

SeeClickFix entered the double digit head count this month with the hire of Dan Bernier, our new Rails Engineer. It's weeks like this that remind us how much reach a small team can have with such a powerful platform.

Keep Hustlin' Team!

TGIF(ixed): The Driveway Dilemma

2011-09-16T13:37:00.000-04:00

When a repair made by the city led to a huge headache for Charlotte, NC homeowner Ralph Bruce, SeeClickFix media partner WBTV stepped in to shine a light on his report and resolve the issue once and for all.

Ralph reported issue #116088 - The city did not repair my driveway after repairing a water pipe - after a city repair left his driveway, as well as his street, in shambles.

The city came out to repair a busted water pipe in front of my driveway. They had to break up my driveway to get to the pipe and has not repaired my driveway. I have made over ten calls to no avail. The crew that came out said that the city would have to contract a company out through the water department to repair the problem because of a brick wall that surround the driveway and the yard. The city not only left my driveway a mess but the street as well. Red mud is still in street because the cleaning crew did not do a good job cleaning the street. Please help me get the city back out to my house to correct this problem.

WBTV morning anchor John Carter was alerted of this issue thanks to the watch area and interactive widgets implemented by the outlet. He quickly got to work by contacting the city to see what could be done to address Ralph's driveway.

On August 16th, John reported an update to WBTV viewers on their morning broadcast.

I contacted the city and got a very fast response from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Utility Department. I'm told the city's asphalt/concrete contractor is scheduled to work on the driveway this week. The contractor wasn't able to get out there sooner due to other street restorations, according to the city. So the problem should be fixed this week.

We'll certainly keep you updated.

Unfortunately for Ralph, the week passed without a fix and his driveway was still a disaster. As one week turned into two weeks and then three weeks, he again posted to SeeClickFix to let WBTV and WBTV viewers know the problem continued.

On Monday, thanks to Ralph's report and the persistence of WBTV, John Carter reported the update they had promised on their August 16th broadcast.

...as of today, the driveway is being fixed. Crews were out Monday making the repairs.

But what took so long?

While WBTV will be looking into why this fix took so long to complete, SeeClickFixer Ralph is happy to be saying TGIF(ixed)!

Can you think of a better way to kick-off your weekend? We didn't think so! A HUGE thank you to our superstar media partner WBTV for bringing us this amazing TGIF(ixed) issue. The whole SeeClickFix team is looking forward to hearing more updates and seeing more issues fixed thanks to your hard work!

To watch a video clip of the August 16th broadcast, click here!

To watch a video clip of the September 12 broadcast, click here!

Trash, Weeds and TVs: An Epic Community Cleanup

2011-09-15T11:26:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday, SeeClickFix teamed with the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance, the New Haven Parks Department, and other volunteers from around The Elm City to clean up a community eyesore. The Irving Gas station near the corner of Whalley Avenue and West Rock Avenue is nestled between two of New Haven's most prized public spaces - The West River Trail and Edgewood Park. Despite it's beautiful surrounds, the gas station has been severely neglected, with trash and weeds piling up along its shared border with the West River Trail for several years.

Increasingly frustrated with the state of the blighted property, SeeClickFix co-founder and Beaver Hills resident Jeff Blasius helped to spearhead the cleanup. Nearly a year after he posted Issue #46787 - Trash & Weeds - Jeff and nearly 20 other volunteers geared up to address the problem once and for all.

The Japanese Knotweed was taller than the volunteers clearing it!

Armed with pruning shears and some heavy-duty gardening equipment, volunteers cleared the invasive Japanese Knotweed off the West River Trail path and from around the riverbed. Others worked to pick up the years of garbage and broken glass strewn throughout the station grounds. Park Rangers from the New Haven Parks Department hiked up and down the West River next to the property to pull out all of the garbage that had collected there. Needless to say, there was a lot of work to be done and everyone kept busy!

Yes, that is a TV. Yes, we pulled it out of the West River. Yes, it's disgusting.

Within three hours, our teams had filled over 10 reusable dumpsters with weeds, trash and debris. The dumpsters and disposal of everything we cleaned was very generously donated by Westville company BullBag. As you can see below, we definitely needed a pretty big hand getting rid of everything...


Cleanup muscle c/o BullBag

While there is still work to be done at this location, SeeClickFix is proud to have been part of a huge first step towards fixing this problem for good. Our team will be working with WVRA and the New Haven Parks Department on future projects at this location, so check back here frequently for updates on how you can get involved too!

SeeClickFix co-founder Jeff couldn't be happier to see his issue being fixed.

A very big "Thank you!" to Jane Mills and Chris Heitmann from the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance, Harry Coyle from the New Haven Parks Department, BullBag, and all of the volunteers who came out to help!

Check out more photos from our cleanup, and see what else we found in the river on the SeeClickFix Facebook page!

SeeClickFix Integrates with Boston Open 311

2011-09-12T11:28:00.000-04:00

We have some pretty exciting news, folks! SeeClickFix proudly announces its integration with Boston's work order system through its new Open 311 API. The connection--which went live on Friday--will enable citizens to communicate service requests directly into the city's existing CRM by reporting issues through the SeeClickFix platform:

Website (Available at SeeClickFix.com/Boston)
Widgets (Embedded on Boston.com Your Town pages)
Mobile app (iPhone, Android, Blackberry)
Facebook App

Having already been launched in San Francisco and Washington, DC, Open311 refers to a 'standardized technology for location-based collaborative issue tracking,' or an open source data platform for 311 service requests. Through this open model, citizens can instantly provide more information to those responsible and help improve the city's environment along the way. More important, it empowers and engages the public to actively participate in civil society.

From now on, any issue reported through SeeClickFix's online and mobile interface will be fed directly into Boston's existing 311 system. With Open311 implemented, SeeClickFix can fully interact with and connect into the city's work order system. This SeeClickFix-Open311 connection gives Boston residents yet another channel through which they can report non-emergency concerns. With a few clicks, citizens can provide locational, descriptive, and photographic information about quality-of-life issues from potholes and graffiti to damaged signs and sidewalk patches. Once the resident submits an issue, it will be communicated not only to the city, but also to the citizens it serves. With SeeClickFix's public platform, everyone can be kept informed in real time. The SeeClickFix-Open311 connection would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of SeeClickFix cofounder/CSO Kam Lasater.

More information (and official announcement) coming soon!

Mobile Apptastic: iPhone 2.4.0 Release

2011-09-09T16:31:00.000-04:00

With its massive stability improvement and new UI, we're excited to release the latest version of our iPhone app (Version 2.4.0) now available in the App Store (courtesy of our mobile guru Jason Sznol). Thanks to feedback from the SeeClickFix community, we've made several new tweaks that will allow for a more stable and reliable user experience. These include: redone user navigation, added site messages, simplified locally saved reports, countless speed improvements, fixed crashes on iPod touch, and other fixes for previous bugs.

On the new launch screen, you'll find several new--as well as classic--options: Report, Issues, Neighbors, Messages, My Profile, and Settings (see left). Select the "Report" button to submit an issue in your community (see right). You can provide an issue summary and description, upload an image, and input your location via GPS or manually.

To view problems submitted by your neighbors, click the "Issues" button (see left). To view the recent activity for issues you submitted or commented on, navigate to your "Messages" section (see right).

Interested in seeing the most active users in your city or town? Check out "Neighbors" to see how many civic points your fellow reporters have earned (see left). To see your own SeeClickFix stats, simply click on "My Profile" and you'll be all set (see right).

You can download the new iPhone app here. We really love feedback from users like yourself and would appreciate if you rated the app in the App Store honestly. Help us help you (and your community)!

This Weekend in Westville: Clean up the West River Trail!

2011-09-07T09:56:00.000-04:00

This weekend SeeClickFix is teaming up with the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance to clean up an important gateway to Westville Village and to the West River Trail. Read all about our efforts below and come help us close Issue #120165 - Clean up the West River Trail - Saturday, September 10, from 9:30AM - 11:30AM!

WHAT? A community cleanup to improve the West River trail at the intersection of Whalley Avenue in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven. Volunteers are needed to assist with:

Sweeping litter that collects along the edge of the paved trail.

Trimming the Japanese Knotweed that grows over the trail.

Sweeping the sidewalk along Whalley as it approaches the intersection of Whalley and the West River.

Pulling debris from the river and river bank that hasn't been carried downstream by Hurricane Irene, including metal signs.

WHEN and WHERE? Saturday, September 10, from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. Volunteers will meet at the gazebo in Edgewood Park near the corner of Whalley and West Rock Ave. Convenient parking is just off West Rock Avenue in Edgewood Park, near the gazebo.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Sturdy boots, sneakers or wellingtons and socks to protect against poison ivy and no-see-ums, insect repellent and work gloves.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? If you have it, bring a good broom, or litter grabber. Check with us later this week to see what we still need, including shovels or pruning sheers. Bringing along family and friends is also definitely encouraged!

SHOULD I RSVP? Yes! Please shoot us an email at contact@seeclickfix.com to let us know that you're coming, or if you have any questions or concerns we can address.

We hope to see you Saturday!

TGIF(ixed): Neighbors helping neighbors

2011-09-02T16:20:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday, SeeClickFixers! It's been a busy week here at SCF World HQ, but we've made it through and are glad to be saying TGIF! This week, our TGIF(ixed) issue comes from Maureen in Rockville, Maryland, who helped a neighbor by getting a potentially dangerous dead tree removed.

When phone calls and web forms proved to be fruitless for her neighbor, Maureen turned to SeeClickFix and reported Issue #119349 - Dead tree removal.

my neighbor has been trying to get a dead tree removed since last fall but since it's under the power lines and on county property, both PEPCO and the county think it's someone else job. PEPCO only trims branches. The tree is on a street that borders an elementary school, children walk under it and it's so dead the bark is peeling off it.

What went unnoticed for nearly a full year when reported the old-fashioned way was resolved amazingly fast thanks to Maureen's report. Within one week of SeeClickFixin' her neighbors dead tree, she was able to close the issue with a great update!

It's only fitting that our TGIF(ixed) issue of the week hails from the State of Maryland, where officials recently embraced our social platform to help citizens throughout Hurricane Irene. SeeClickFix is thrilled to see this, and many other issues across the Chesapeake Bay State get fixed through our platform.

We hope everyone has a great weekend and can't wait to say TGIF(ixed) to your issues again next week!

City of Leduc Develops 'Transportation Master Plan'

2011-09-02T14:24:00.000-04:00

By Jacob Apkon, Superstar SeeClickFix Intern

After seeing a 40% increase in population in just five years, the Leduc city government recognized the need to address the multitude of traffic challenges caused by this drastic increase in population. Local officials wanted to engage residents and encourage them to voice their opinions on ways to improve the flow of traffic. Luckily, there's an app (and online platform) for that!

On July 22, 2011, the City of Leduc (Alberta, Canada) announced its “Transportation Master Plan,” a way for citizens of the city to suggest ideas, solutions, and opinions based on four major categories: vehicle congestion, transit improvements, walking and cycling improvements, and other transportation related issues. Anyone is able to go on to their website and enter a suggestion or solution on how to improve transportation using the SeeClickFix map.

In less than one month, over 15 suggestions have been made. Leduc also offered a physical map of the city during one of the its festivals, so people without access to Internet or people who may have not seen the website were able to submit suggestions.

Earlier this year, Huntsville, AL also allowed citizens to suggest improvements to the city using SeeClickFix’s platform. The City of Huntsville used SeeClickFix to decide what stores and businesses to bring to town based on the citizens’ suggestions.

While Leduc is not the first city to use SeeClickFix’s maps as a platform to hear the suggestions of the citizens in order to improve the city, Leduc certainly expanded on the idea by allowing the people to voice their opinions on what the city could physically change, not just what the city could add. Hopefully, Leduc’s example will be replicated in the future, and cities will turn to the SeeClickFix map to hear suggestions and opinions on how to improve the city not just what needs fixing.

Reporting Complaints Now A Click Away

2011-09-01T11:40:00.000-04:00

REPORTING COMPLAINTS NOW A CLICK AWAY

Chelsea, MA (August 30, 2011)- Non-emergency complaints can now be delivered with the click of a mouse thanks to a new service being offered by the City of Chelsea. This week, City Manager Jay Ash and members of the City Council announced that the City had entered into a contract with SeeClickFix to provide a place-based reporting platform that allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and needs, like potholes, graffiti, trash and overgrown vegetation.

“This is another great use of technology to help us connect with and better address the needs of residents,” stated Council President Vega.

“We continue to look for ways of connecting government with the governed, and SeeClickFix offers a great tool to engage residents and others in helping government to be more responsive and efficient,” added Manager Ash.

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 is pleased to be offering the service in Chelsea.

“With this announcement, we’re honored to add Chelsea to our growing list of municipal partners in the commonwealth and across the nation,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “Our decentralized platform will help connect the city's residents with each other and their government—strengthening the lines of communication and transforming quality of life for everyone along the way.”

With the online reporting platform, individuals can report quality-of-life concerns through custom service request categories via SeeClickFix.com, Facebook, or a mobile application. Those reporting can simply click on one of the options to report a problem, and can also provide more details and even an image of their observation. Once someone submits an issue, the reporter and the City will receive email notifications. The City can then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper department, and update the issue page once it has been resolved. Throughout the process, the reporter is kept notified of the progress the City is making to resolve the complaint.

“SeeClickFix is one way that we can improve our communication with the people we serve while also addressing issues in a timely fashion as they arise,” said Councillor Leo Robinson.

“By allowing the public to email us issues with pictures, our DPW or ISD can quickly assess the priority of the issues. This will help us be better informed and quicker to respond,” added Councillor Calvin Brown.

The partnership allows residents to not only report community issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by others. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about issues reported throughout the city or just in their neighborhood, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests.

“This is another way we’re empowering the public to help us identify issues and hold us accountable for our actions,” suggested Councillor Brian Hatleberg. “It’s exactly what a transparent government should be doing more of.”

Over 40 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. Ash says the City will strive to do even better.

“Our department heads will prioritize the resolution of issues raised through SeeClickFix. Some will take longer to resolve, but all will get our attention,” concluded Ash.

To start reporting problems, visit the City of Chelsea's website.

To download the apps, click here.

Maryland Prepares for Irene with SeeClickFix

2011-08-26T14:33:00.001-04:00

The State of Maryland has implemented the SeeClickFix platform as they prepare for and recover from Hurricane Irene. This partnership will provide emergency managers across the state with more detailed local information by enabling residents to report non-emergency issues even if the storm affects phone lines. Below is an amended version of the release we shared on our blog yesterday, including information about how Maryland will be using SeeClickFix.

Municipalities in the path of Hurricane Irene can start using our complimentary services by emailing Irene@seeclickfix.com. It takes approximately 20 minutes to get set up and staff will be on-hand throughout the weekend to provide support.

SEECLICKFIX OFFERING FREE SERVICE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR MANAGING INCOMING STORM DAMAGE ISSUES

Digital 311 System Will Lessen Burden on 911 for Non-Emergency Citizen Concerns During Hurricane Irene

New Haven, Conn (August 26, 2011) – As the East Coast braces for the upcoming storm, online citizen reporting tool SeeClickFix will offer its issue management tools to municipalities affected by Hurricane Irene at no cost. Through this effort, SeeClickFix hopes to reduce the burden of non-emergency calls to local governments in the storm’s path. The SeeClickFix dashboard will help municipalities streamline incoming constituent requests and expand citizen access to reporting non-emergency issues with its alternative channel of communication.

SeeClickFix decided to offer this complimentary month of service after its recent collaboration with the State of Maryland. State officials decided to implement the SeeClickFix platform as they prepare for and recover from the storm. This partnership enables residents across the state to report non-emergency issues even if the storm affects phone lines.

“The State of Maryland is using SeeClickFix as another channel of communication that will provide emergency managers with more in-depth local information through which they can make decisions during the storm,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “During this historic storm, there exists a need for greater stability and broader accessibility when reporting non-emergency issues to local governments, and we’re glad we can help.”

Over 50 municipalities nationwide currently use SeeClickFix as their front-end reporting tool. Clients in the hurricane’s path are encouraging their residents to use SeeClickFix to report downed trees, structural damage, flooding, and other non-emergency issues caused by dangerous conditions expected this weekend.

Citizens can report storm damage via SeeClickFix.com or through SeeClickFix mobile applications available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry. Once an issue is submitted, the reporter and the local government will receive email notifications. Local governments using the free dashboard can then acknowledge the request, route it to the appropriate department, and update the issue once it has been resolved. The platform also allows citizens to request and receive real-time updates such as road closures and the availability of supplies. Reports submitted via SeeClickFix are publicly available, allowing important information to be quickly and efficiently communicated.

Municipalities interested in using SeeClickFix for tracking non-emergency issues related to Hurricane Irene can email Irene@seeclickfix.com. Staff will be on-hand throughout the weekend to provide support. To view the State of Maryland’s SeeClickFix reporting form, please visit their website here. Please note that local governments and citizens can always use SeeClickFix to report and monitor non-emergency issues for free.

SeeClickFix is a platform for reporting non-emergency issues. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. SeeClickFix supports the Open311 standard that promotes improved communication between citizens and their local government. Over 50 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

SeeClickFix Offering Help to Municipalities Facing Hurricane Irene

2011-08-25T19:34:00.000-04:00

SEECLICKFIX OFFERING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FREE SERVICE TO MANAGE INCOMING STORM DAMAGE ISSUES

Digital 311 System Will Lessen Burden on 911 for Non-Emergency Citizen Concerns During Hurricane Irene

New Haven, Conn (August 25, 2011) – In an effort to reduce the burden of non-emergency calls to municipalities affected by Hurricane Irene, online citizen reporting platform SeeClickFix is offering their issue management tools to local governments in the storm's path, at no cost. Municipalities can use the SeeClickFix dashboard to streamline residents' incoming requests and broaden citizen access to reporting non-emergency issues via web and mobile phone applications.

The SeeClickFix platform ensures residents in areas affected by the hurricane will have access to reporting non-emergency issues directly to local officials, even if phone lines are affected by the storm. Local governments and citizens can always use SeeClickFix to report and monitor non-emergency issues for free.

“Local governments who use SeeClickFix have an additional channel of communication that will provide emergency managers with more detailed local information to base decisions on during the storm,” said Ben Berkowitz, CEO of SeeClickFix. “We’re happy to offer a stable line of communication for citizens and local governments in need of broader access to non-emergency reporting during this historic storm.”

Over 50 municipalities across the United States currently use SeeClickFix as their front-end citizen reporting tool. Clients in the path of Hurricane Irene are encouraging their residents to use SeeClickFix to report storm damage such as flooding, downed trees, structural damage and other non-emergency issues caused by the dangerous conditions expected this weekend.

Citizens can report storm damage via SeeClickFix.com or through SeeClickFix mobile applications available free for iPhone, Android and Blackberry. Once an issue is submitted, the reporting citizen and the local government will receive email notifications. Local governments using the free dashboard can then acknowledge the request, route it to the appropriate department, and update the issue once it has been resolved. The platform also allows citizens to request and receive real-time updates such as road closures and the availability of supplies. Reports submitted via SeeClickFix are publicly available, allowing important information to be quickly and efficiently disseminated.

Municipalities interested in using SeeClickFix for non-emergency issues in their community related to Hurricane Irene can get started by clicking here, as well as by emailing Irene@seeclickfix.com for more information and assistance. Staff will be on hand throughout the weekend to provide support.

SeeClickFix is a platform for reporting non-emergency issues. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. SeeClickFix supports the Open311 standard that promotes improved communication between citizens and their local government. Over 50 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

On the Road to Empowering Communities

2011-08-19T11:02:00.000-04:00

Back in March, our good friends at Pothole.Info highlighted SeeClickFix's success with pothole abatement, emphasizing how our platform both engages citizens and promotes efficiency in local government. Recently, it examined how bicycling communities have started to self-organize and address pothole hazards with tools like SeeClickFix.

Most cities have a 3-1-1 system in place, but other phone apps such as SeeClickFix and SaveMyTire enable bikers to similarly report pavement problems to the appropriate municipalities (shoot a photo with a GPS-enabled smartphone and the report is made automatically).

According to Pothole.Info, there are 16 to 20 million bicycles sold each year in the U.S. With this increasing biking population, there has become an even greater incentive for bicyclists to resolve road hazards that may disrupt their commute and even cause injury. That's where SeeClickFix comes into play with its quick and easy reporting system:

It seems far more likely a biker with a smart phone will click a pic of a mean pothole than will a motorist who is 100 feet down the road before he or she realizes that awful “whump” was their car’s tire rim connecting with broken pavement.

With our online and mobile technology, bicyclists can document potential road hazards on a public interface in real time---informing and connecting with local government and fellow cyclists with a few clicks of the mouse. Pothole.Info is just one website that has embedded our nifty map widget to raise awareness about issues related to infrastructure and transportation. Through this widget, concerned bicyclists can view what others have already reported and notify their local governments about potholes across the nation.

Through this citizen-generated content, roads not only improve, but citizens become empowered to remain active in their communities. We always say potholes can be the gateway drug to civic engagement. What does that mean? Well, when someone reports an issue (like a pothole) and sees that it's been fixed, he or she is more likely to remain involved and become engaged on an even greater scale, thereby creating a self-reinforcing loop. Those individuals view themselves as part of some larger social fabric, one in which they feel responsible for enacting change.

Saratoga Springs Considers SeeClickFix Committee

2011-08-15T13:58:00.000-04:00

By Jacob Apkon, Superstar SeeClickFix Intern

After seeing an increase in issues reported on SeeClickFix, Saratoga Springs’ Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth now wants to establish a committee to address public traffic concerns, consisting of community members, engineers, and public safety representatives (for example, police officers). That way, Wirth and company can better address SeeClickFix issues raised by Saratoga Springs citizens.

Already a SeeClickFix media partner, the Saratogian regularly reports SeeClickFix issues submitted by citizens to the city and, oftentimes, the city official contacted is Wirth. With the establishment of this committee, Wirth hopes he can get rid of this middle step. The committee would check SeeClickFix directly instead of going through the Saratogian. As Wirth states:

It might be beneficial to have their concerns and inquiries forwarded directly to the commissioner of public safety. There is such an influx of these concerns and we want to look into each one because these apply not only to the city, but also to the county and the state because they can involve their roads.

Reported over a year ago and still receiving SeeClickFix activity, Issue #31661-Intersection of Ballston Ave. and Lincoln Ave involves a traffic light request at an intersection one SeeClickFix user felt was unsafe.

Despite receiving 862 views and 49 votes, this issue still persists according to resident--and SeeClickFix user--Nancy Muldoon. Hopefully, Wirth’s new committee will be able to address and close this traffic concern on SeeClickFix (and others like it!)

TGIF(ixed): Fast, friendly and fixed in #NHV

2011-08-12T16:57:00.001-04:00

It's probably no surprise that the SeeClickFix team loves seeing people collaborate to fix issues. Whether it's neighbors coming together to clean up their block, or citizens working with their local government to find a solution that works for everyone, we just can't get enough! But what about when different agencies within one municipality collaborate for a fix? A graffiti report submitted yesterday by our very own Ben Berkowitz proved to be a great example of how inter-agency accountability can lead to fast (and friendly) fixes!

Issue #118590 - Graffiti - was reported by Ben on his way to SeeClickFix world HQ on Thursday morning. The two tags painted on a bus shelter in the SoHu neighborhood of New Haven were promptly acknowledged by the Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking. While TTP notified the Sign Division about the graffiti, the Town Green District Clean Team had also received a report of the graffiti and set out to take care of it ASAP!

The transparency of our platform allowed two of our clients to quickly and easily communicate about this problem, as well as acknowledge, fix, and close out this issue without hours of it being reported. Upon seeing the exchange between TTP and Win from the Town Green District, Ben summed things up pretty perfectly:

The Town Green District and their lightening fast Clean Team were the first SeeClickFix client ever. The secret to their speed? In addition to receiving alerts about new issues reported throughout New Haven, the team scours our site and arms themselves with print outs of new graffiti reports such as the one below before heading out each day!

A Clean Team member with his SCF print out, taken this morning.

A super huge thanks to the New Haven Town Green District, as well as to the Department of Traffic, Transportation and Parking for supplying us with such an awesome TGIF(ixed) issue this week!

UPDATE: In our excitement to tell you all about our featured fix of the week, we forgot to mention that the graffiti issue above was one of TWO issues the Clean Team took care of in record time on Thursday! Issue #118568 - Graffiti - is closed! Impressive? TOTALLY!

TGIF(ixed): 140 characters of #Fixed (#FF edition)

2011-08-05T17:41:00.000-04:00

The weekend is here, friends! This week on TGIF(ixed), we wanted to quickly share two awesome fixes that came to us through the wonders of the Twitterverse.

After closing a pothole issue he reported in Seattle, WA a few months earlier, SeeClickFixer Mike Spear shared the good news with his Twitter followers!

Bryce Roberts from O'Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, who reported graffiti (see picture below) under the Team OATV account, saw his issue get fixed fast!


Weak graffiti

Think this edition of TGIF(ixed) was as weak as the graffiti Bryce reported? Help us out next week by sending us your fixed issues! Leave a comment here, post it on our Facebook, or (of course) tell us in 140 characters by tweeting @seeclickfix.

Keizertimes Kicks Off New Citizen Reporting Tool

2011-08-05T10:40:00.000-04:00

This just in: our media partners are awesome.

Okay, so while this information might not be breaking news, it's definitely true! Since our launch in 2008, hundreds of media outlets have partnered with SeeClickFix to help empower their audience, improve their communities and generate unique, hyperlocal content. Not only that, media outlets utilizing SeeClickFix have played a significant part in helping us happily say that over 50% of issues reported through our online platform have been resolved offline. From The Washington Post to the 18 dailies published by the Journal Register Company, some big names in news are SeeClickFixin'! While you may not have heard of our latest media partner, we think you'll be just as excited as we are about them!

Keizertimes, the newspaper in Keizer, OR, is a weekly publication and news site focused solely on news and events within the Keizer community. With a staff of two full time employees, Keizertimes will be using our platform to engage their readers while improving Keizer, one fix at a time. The paper launched SeeClickFix late last week and published a story about our partnership in the August 1 edition. After helping managing editor Jason Cox get set up with our widgets and sharing examples of how powerful media can be in getting issues fixed, we were thrilled that he shared our same enthusiasm with his readers.

“This partnership goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to increasing civic participation and covering Keizer like no one else can,” said Managing Editor Jason Cox. “We’re happy to provide our readers this service and allow them an easy, anonymous way to report issues in their community.”

Adding to our excitement about our partnership, Keizertimes staff will be following up with local officials about issues in their area and reporting on the progress of fixes to their readers concerns. Citizens, media and local government working together to solve problems and improve their community - it doesn't get any better than this, folks!

BHAM Goes The Terminal

2011-08-03T14:03:00.000-04:00

"Think of it as a digital 311 system." At least, that's how our newest media partner, The Terminal, described SeeClickFix after recently embedding our nifty widget on its website.

Launched in 2007, The Terminal is a web publication focused on disseminating information in and about Birmingham and surrounding areas. With the old Birmingham Terminal Station as its namesake, The Terminal has become a modern and virtual social hub of its own. Thanks to managing editor (and friend!) André Natta, SeeClickFix will now be adding to this public dialogue in BHAM. André nicely summarizes how his fellow citizens (and media outlets) can take advantage of our tool:

Non-emergencies reported via the widget embedded on our site or via any of the mobile apps available are shared directly with City Hall’s 311 Call Center [...] The more folks using the service, the more effective it can be. Video and photo submissions are also accepted. Selfishly, it also provides an opportunity for local media outlets to get an idea of what’s going on out there (though nothing really replaces face-to-face – or just getting out there – but it helps).

With SeeClickFix widgets, media outlets can be kept informed about issues directly impacting the communities they serve in real-time. By allowing residents to report issues directly through its site, The Terminal can connect with its audience over these shared concerns and even lead to resolution along the way. Like André said, it's time to SeeClickFix Birmingham!

A Community Taking Root

2011-08-01T15:33:00.000-04:00

Photo courtesy of Thomas MacMillan

Back in early May, we told you about the CommunitiesTakeRoot contest and its mission to revitalize public spaces nationwide by providing neighborhoods with their very own fruit orchards. Well, it looks like one fruit orchard will be taking root right here in the Elm City!

According to the New Haven Independent, the Friends of Edgewood Park won the new fruit orchard for its namesake after mustering over 30,000 votes during the competition. Sponsored by Edy's Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, the grant will provide 44 new fruit trees in the 123-acre park, "returning a vital resource to one of the city’s true treasures." From growing fresh, nutritious fruit to improving air and water quality, this orchard can provide a healthier and more vibrant community for all New Haven citizens.

An organizer of the effort, Jessica Feinlab said “We will either plant the trees this Fall or next spring based on volunteer interest and getting a water source to the site"(tentative planting around Labor Day). Even better? The city agreed to match the award by planting the same number of fruit trees across the city!

We're honored the Friends of Edgewood Park used SeeClickFix (Issue #95410 - Vote for a Fruit Trees Orchard in Edgewood Park!) to help raise awareness about its participation in this delicious competition. The SeeClickFix team looks forward to getting its hands dirty in the coming weeks!

Raising a Rapid Reponse to Community Concerns

2011-08-01T14:39:00.000-04:00

Another guest post from Kevin Donohue, SCF Superstar Intern!

Check out this article about SeeClickFix in a recent edition of GEOconnexion International Magazine. GEOconnexion is a popular publication for Geospatial professionals around the world, and this article focuses on the technology we use that makes it really easy for you to draw attention to issues at precise locations in your neighborhood.

This is of course a very cool feature of our service, and we’re happy that GEOconnection has drawn attention to it. However, there is also a quick nod to an important element of SeeClickFix that we want to highlight: the benefit to the bottom line our services provide to municipalities looking to maximize their resources. Describing how we enable clients to keep track of the history of local repairs, “such as evaluating areas with unusually high maintenance requirements to determine possible causes and take preventative measures if appropriate,” the author writes, “This allows the city to maintain the public assets it is responsible for in a cost-effective manner.”


More cities are saying "goodbye" to graffiti with SeeClickFix!

SeeClickFix is often thought of as an easy way for communities to come together to address their shared challenges, and as a way for municipalities to become more responsive to their constituents. While these are definitely true, the cost savings this creates for local governments can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. The example offered in the GEOconnexion article is only the latest demonstration of this.

Consider Issue #115607 - Graffiti - which was reported 6 days ago in New Haven, and closed by our Town Green District shortly thereafter. In order to handle this before SeeClickFix, the city may have used an old fashioned 311 system, or they may have just come across it through pursuing other business. Now, they know exactly where the graffiti is, as well as what it looks like and how many people are waiting for a fix. The efficient transmission of information frees up resources that can be deployed elsewhere, allowing cities to serve their citizens for less.

To read the article in GEOconnexion International Magazine, click here!

TGIF(ixed): Client Edition

2011-07-29T16:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday, SeeClickFixers! In this weeks edition of TGIF(ixed), we're celebrating the end of the work week by highlighting the hard work of our government clients. So without further ado...

Swampscott, MA
One of our newest government clients, Swampscott closed their first SeeClickFix issue this week! With some tree trimming and wood removal, the town Department of Public Works closed out Issue #115264 - Tree Trimming. Congrats to Swampscott on what is sure to be the first of many closed issues in their community!

Raleigh, NC

Not only did the City of Raleigh do an awesome job of acknowledging this issue and communicating with their citizens, they went above and beyond to close it out! Issue #114719 - Drainage - was reported 8 days ago to address a storm drain that was clogged by weeds. Even though the drain was found to be on private property, Raleigh Public Works got out there to clean the drain and close the issue.

College Station, TX

Confusing road markings in College Station were corrected this week thanks to an observant citizen reporter and a superstar government client. SeeClickFixer I.R. reported Issue #111302 - Road marking doesn't show straight direction - 25 days ago. College Station quickly acknowledged the issue and let their citizens know that they assigned a contractor to address the problem by the first week of August.
What better way to say TGIF than with an early fix?

Hartford, CT

Issue #98728 - Walk light out at bus stop crosswalk - was reported in Downtown Hartford, CT 3 months ago. This week, a SeeClickFix user closed the issue after seeing the fix when safely crossing the street! Hartford gives us yet another great example of how everyone wins when local governments partner with SeeClickFix to address the concerns of their citizens!

That does it for TGIF(ixed) this week! As always, a huge thanks to SeeClickFix clients and users for improving their communities, one click at a time. Next week, if you find yourself saying "TGIF" before Friday rolls around, let us know! Send us your newly closed issue in an email, or tweet it to us @seeclickfix to see it here next week on the SeeClickFix blog!

Next Generation Democracy

2011-07-29T13:18:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, Demos fellow and author Jared Duval discussed his new book Next Generation Democracy: What the Open-Source Revolution Means for Power, Politics, and Change on PRX's Voices of Our World, an award-winning public affairs radio program. With its focus on solving challenges collectively, Duval's book highlights those organizations--including SeeClickFix--assuming leadership roles in this revolution.

In the Wi-Fi Democracy interview, Duval discusses how collective action emerges through open-source technology and participatory online sites like SeeClickFix. Voices of Our World host Eileen Bott described how SeeClickFix changes the way citizens communicate with their municipalities (and each other):

Telling them [local government] off is now just a click away. No nasty paper letter, no dead trees. You can now go to a civic website which connects you and your neighbors to your local government, allowing you to report a problem.

Duval elaborated on this thought, describing how citizens are becoming more active and invested in their communities thanks to an increasing access to information:

Rather than seeing government as something separate to be complained at, I think SeeClickFix is enabling us because we can come together and share information more effectively. It enhances our role as citizens to feel investment and ownership of our own communities. And to come together to do things rather than waiting around for some distant force, or at least that's what the frame is about our government.

This participatory approach reforms and reinvents government in transparent, decentralized ways while simultaneously creating communities of engaged, proactive citizens. Without SeeClickFix, many questions remain unanswered after an individual reports something, like a pothole or missing street sign, to their local government: What happens to it? Where does it go? Is it getting fixed? With SeeClickFix, however, Duval believes this problem can be overcome:

And so the cofounders of SeeClickFix created this site as a platform where you could post nonemergency issues in real-time, other citizens can go on and share information about that as well. They can post pictures or videos that help give a better sense of what's going on, but there's also discussion so you can engage with government [...] And so, it's tracked totally transparently, citizens collaborating with their fellow citizens who happen to work for the government to solve local problems rather than just seeing government as a complaint board [...]

Through discussions with Duval, Bott became excited about our citizen-reporting platform and its application beyond the local level:

I checked out my own little rural hamlet in New York state on SeeClickFix. And son of a gun, my town is there with its tall grass obscuring a curve in the road and the need for a new traffic light. We're connected, but while most of us are just sharing giggles with friends on Facebook, and ya know that's not that bad, I can't help but extrapolate from what I'm learning on the local level or national level what is possible on the global level. Act local, think global.

The open-source revolution continues to reshape the way civil society functions with the bottom-up, grassroots efforts of innovators and average citizens alike. SeeClickFix places itself on the frontlines of this 'next generation democracy' movement--transforming residents into citizens with one easy click of the mouse!

SeeClickFix: The Cure for the Common Internship

2011-07-26T16:12:00.000-04:00

Guest post by Amanda Smyth, SeeClickFix Intern Extraordinaire!

The catchy phrase and company known as “SeeClickFix” holds a variety of meanings for many individuals. For citizens, SeeClickFix is an outlet to report issues that they want repaired. For governments, it is a way to demonstrate their commitment to their community by responding and fixing concerns. However for me, SeeClickFix has been my work place for the past two months. Though my internship here at SeeClickFix is nearly over, the wonderful experience that I gained will be remembered for a long time. I can hardly forget my first day of work when I explored New Haven and reported issues I found that needed to be fixed. It was neat learning how the mobile applications worked and how rewarding it feels to know your voice has been heard. This is just one of the endless reasons to use SeeClickFix in your community.

While working at SeeClickFix I have certainly grasped a better knowledge of programs such as Google docs and Cision. My ping-pong skills have also been improved during breaks of list building (where I consistently beat my other fellow intern, Tom). I have never heard of any internship that has a ping-pong and foosball table right in the office! I also learned a lot about the ins and outs of phone calls with government and media contacts. It was a sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding process being able to introduce new people and communities to our platform. At SeeClickFix I always felt like part of the team and that my efforts were appreciated!

Amanda (in green) really "dug" her internship with SeeClickFix...

Working at SeeClickFix has also made me aspire to help my community. One afternoon I planted trees with the SeeClickFix team and our neighbors here in New Haven. This was a phenomenal way to give back to the community. SeeClickFix may be a fairly new company, but this has not stopped it from doing well. I look forward to watching the growth of the company, and feeling proud that I was able to take part in such an inspiring idea. I could not have asked for a better internship and work experience this summer.

TGIF(ixed)

2011-07-22T15:52:00.000-04:00

Here at SeeClickFix, we think it is safe to say that the following statements are universally accepted as being true:

1. Fridays are awesome
2. Fixing things is awesome

With this in mind, we're sharing a few of the many issues that went from open to closed this week on SeeClickFix! Kick-start your weekend by saying "TGIF(ixed)" and check out our fixed issues week in review!

Monday

Richmond Hill, Ontario Councillor Greg Beros logged on to update users that Issue #100724 - Broken glass on display- had been fixed. Councillor Beros both reported and closed this issue himself!

Tuesday

Tim Arnold, a SeeClickFix Municipal Avenger in Tucson, AZ closed out 4 graffiti issues he had submitted through the SCF mobile app. Graffiti on intersection barriers, a stop sign, a bike route sign and an electrical box was removed by the City of Tucson (a SeeClickFix partner!) thanks to Tim's reporting.

Wednesday

New trees were the fix for Issue #28915 - Dirt Holes in Sidewalk! Reported by Andrew nearly a year ago, this issue in San Francisco has finally been resolved (and in a very environmentally friendly way)!

Thursday

A concerned citizen in Charlotte, NC reported that a street light in her neighborhood was fixed on Thursday! Issue #110614 - Street light has been out for at least 5 months - was submitted to SeeClickFix 20 days ago.

Friday

SeeClickFixer Dag from Prince Albert Saskatchewan closed out a graffiti issue he reported earlier this week. Glad Dag started his week on Monday by reporting Issue #113505 - Graffiti - and then ended it with a fix on Friday!

A huge thanks to these (and many other!) SeeClickFix users for not only reporting their community concerns, but for taking the time to keep their neighbors updated by closing fixed issues! Next week, if you find yourself saying "TGIF" before Friday rolls around, let us know! Send us your closed issue in an email, or tweet it to us @seeclickfix. We would love to share it here next week on the SeeClickFix blog!

Happy Friday, SeeClickFixers!

Swampscott Empowers Residents with New Reporting Tool

2011-07-22T13:57:00.000-04:00

Town of Swampscott Announces Partnership with Citizen Reporting Tool

Residents, town officials stay engaged and solve community issues with SeeClickFix

Swampscott, Mass. (July 22, 2011) – The Town of Swampscott announces a new partnership with an online reporting platform that enables residents to submit non-emergency problems and request public services. Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting platform allows citizens to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to barking dogs and streetlights being out.

“The goal of this partnership is to encourage residents and town officials to stay engaged with what’s happening in our community,” said Town Treasurer / Collector Denise Dembkoski. “We’re hoping to leverage the technology we have – cell phones, iPads, etc. – to not only improve communication between citizens and local government, but to improve our town services overall.”

With the online reporting platform, residents can report quality-of-life concerns directly to the town through custom service request categories via the Town of Swampscott website, SeeClickFix.com, or mobile applications for iPhone, Android and Blackberry. The platform allows citizens to provide additional information about the issue by adding a detailed description or including a photograph in their report. Once someone submits an issue, both the reporter and the town of Swampscott will receive an email notification. The local government can then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper department, and update the issue page once it’s been resolved. All updates on issues reported through SeeClickFix are displayed publicly, allowing Swampscott to quickly and easily inform citizens of their progress.

“SeeClickFix will empower residents to become an integral part of the identification, prioritization and resolution of quality-of-life issues in Swampscott,” said Dembkoski. “Since the system encourages active participation from both government and citizens to efficiently address community issues, everyone wins. “

In addition to enhanced citizen reporting, Swampscott’s partnership with SeeClickFix also allows residents to view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by others in the community. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about issues reported throughout the town or just in their neighborhood, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests.

“SeeClickFix provides local governments with the tools needed to efficiently and transparently solve community issues, but the fixes come from engaged communities that collaborate to get stuff done,” said Ben Berkowitz, CEO of SeeClickFix. “We’re proud to be partnering with a town as committed to civic engagement as Swampscott and look forward to seeing how our online platform impacts their offline community.”

The SeeClickFix Swampscott website can be found here: http://seeclickfix.com/swampscott 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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. SeeClickFix supports the Open311 standard that promotes improved communication between citizens and their local government. Over 50 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

Everybody Get On The Bus!

2011-07-21T11:37:00.000-04:00

Guest post by Kevin Donohue, Superstar SeeClickFix Intern

All New Haveners should cheer Megabus’ recent announcement that it will start providing service between New Haven and Boston. A new, cost-effective option for public transportation is good news for anyone looking to save a few bucks while also helping to save the planet. Plus, the free tickets that Megabus is giving away seem like a great way to head to Beantown to enjoy some chowdah without the hassle of pahking the cah.

We here at SeeClickFix are humbly patting ourselves on the back for giving voice to the many New Haven citizens who wanted more public transportation options through Issue #7425: Bolt Bus Should Run from New Haven to New York. Since being posted roughly two years ago, there has been extensive conversation going on among local residents about the need for more bus routes to pass through New Haven.

In fact, this issue--which was started by our own Ben Berkowitz--was cited in a Board of Alderman resolution calling on BoltBus to provide service between New Haven and New York. City official Crissy Bonanno contributed to the issue comments and stated:

The City of New Haven is committed to getting Bolt Bus to add us to their route. Working with area partners that share this goal, we are sending the company extensive demographic and marketing materials to show that New Haven would be a profitable addition to their business. We are asking the company to check out this ticket at SeeClickFix to gauge community interest--so keep the posts and links coming!

When last contacted about the possibility of expanding to New Haven, BoltBus indicated that it had no immediate plans because of the weak economy. Hopefully, Megabus’ addition of New Haven will be successful, demonstrating the viability of bus travel to and from New Haven. At any rate, it’s very rewarding to see that after years of clamoring for more bus lines through SeeClickFix, New Haven community members are being heard.

See you on the bus!

Making Our Local Governments Efficient and Effective

2011-07-20T12:21:00.000-04:00

Guest post by Thomas Gaudett, Superstar SeeClickFix Intern

As a Government major at Harvard and citizen concerned about my community, it excites me when we as a society come up with new and innovative ways to solve problems that we face collectively. Having been acquainted with SeeClickFix over these last few months, I have discovered such a tool. The services that SeeClickFix offers to citizens and local officials can easily and rightfully be construed as revolutionary. And in this new age of technology and innovation, I have discovered two great ways that SeeClickFix is making the world a better place.

The first thing I discovered was that SeeClickFix assists citizens when reporting problems to local governments, especially issues that might otherwise not be reported. In particular, I have realized the benefits of working to fix pothole issues in local communities across the country. For example, the MTA of the San Francisco Bay Area publishes a pothole report every year. In this report, the MTA makes it clear that there is real cost savings in dealing with potholes up front when they are an issue rather than waiting until the street further deteriorates. The report says that preventive measures made by cities cost about $1 to repair a piece of roadway. It increases to $5 if they wait to perform major rehabilitation. Knowing about these non-emergency issues before they are major problems is a way to reduce costs to enact preventive rather than reactive measures. By encouraging citizens to report potholes and making governments aware of them, SeeClickFix is helping in this process of trimming local government budgets, which are very tight at the moment.

Upon further research, I have realized that SeeClickFix is indirectly helping to achieve a greener earth. Consider this: cities often set a goal of reducing their carbon footprints. According to a June 2009 Caltrans report Prioritization of Transportation Projects for Economic Stimulus with Respect to Greenhouse Gases, smooth pavement reduces GHG emissions by improving vehicles’ fuel economy while low cost preventive measures lead to fewer greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to the need to produce less asphalt or other paving materials, and the need for fewer truck trips to transport materials to and from the worksite. By documenting and ultimately helping resolve street-related issues in a timely fashion, SeeClickFix is working with communities to create a greener earth.

Every day, the SeeClickFix community is realizing the benefits of the services it provides citizens and local governments. These are just two more to add to the list. This certainly encourages all of us to go out and report issues using the SeeClickFix mobile apps. Improving our communities never felt so good!

Getting Digital with the JRC

2011-07-11T12:53:00.000-04:00

We love technology. We love media. We really love when those two join forces and create one amazing result. One of our media partners, the Journal Register Company, perfectly exemplifies this symbiotic relationship with its 'digital first' strategy.

CEO John Paton recently spoke with NetNewsCheck.com about how the Journal Register Co. has used its new online strategy (which includes SeeClickFix) to reinvent itself while simultaneously becoming "on par with the best in the newspaper industry."

Flashback to three years ago: the Journal Register Co. looked like "one of the newspaper industry’s worst black eyes" with its accumulating debt, delisting of its stock, and subsequent bankruptcy. Today, the company has completely transformed itself, "emphasizing content and sales while shedding printing plants and above all, focusing on building online readership."

Part of this transformation? Crowdsourcing with SeeClickFix.

Clearly they’ve [bloggers] played a role in expanding our content offerings and expanding our audience. As has our partnering with companies like SeeClickFix, which is a phenomenal success for us. SeeClickFix lets us do old-fashioned journalism about fixing a pothole here or raising an alarm about a dangerous intersection there.

With SeeClickFix, news outlets like the JRC can stay up-to-date on the issues that directly impact the communities they serve---engaging and empowering citizens along the way. What happens in neighborhoods affects individuals in very immediate, personal ways. Through our widget feature, media outlets can connect with their audiences over these concerns and allow residents to report community issues directly through their website--thereby making the site more interactive and relevant to residents. Just look at the New Haven Register or the News-Herald.

News outlets can then receive email alerts about those issues being reported through 'watch areas' containing the counties, cities, or neighborhoods they cover. These publicly documented SeeClickFix issues can even serve as content for media outlets (see Gripe of the Day), creating new space for public debate, and even leading to investigation and resolution of those matters.

To learn even about the JRC and its growing digital strategy, check out NetNewsCheck.

Case Closed for a Low Hanging Cable

2011-07-07T18:21:00.000-04:00

Citizens waiting at a bus stop in Charlotte, NC weren't alone in needing a lift recently. After seeing an electrical cable hanging dangerously low near the corner of Cedar and Trade, a concerned WBTV News 3 viewer reported the problem through a SeeClickFix map widget on our media partner's site. Citizen reporter Dan M. wrote:

Why has a power line been allowed to droop dangerously low at Cedar and Trade? This has been in this condition for more than a week!!! A 5 foot tall lady at the bus stop could easily grab it.

Before: A Cable Close Call

WBTV Morning Anchor Christie Nelson was alerted as soon as the issue was reported and immedietly began contacting numerous city agencies to see who could fix the problem. After a few phone calls, the Charlotte DOT was notified and quickly dispatched a crew to fix the drooping line. Wednesday afternoon, WBTV learned that the cable was gone and the problem was solved!

After: Out of Reach Thanks to WBTV!

SeeClickFix is thankful for our media partners who help to continually broadcast community issues that need to be addressed. Pedestrian Carl Campbell, interviewed by WBTV, sums up our feelings pretty perfectly...

"I am glad WBTV is out here Channel 3. I look at your news and I'm glad you're out here trying to do something for us,"

We're glad too!

Click here to check out this segment on WBTV!

Accountability for All

2011-07-05T17:17:00.000-04:00

SeeClickFix has helped revolutionize the way citizens communicate with local government. Our growing roster of government clients have all taken a huge step forward by implementing our open, transparent platform and choosing to publicly document their actions (or the lack thereof). In doing so, governments using SeeClickFix have a pretty excellent motivation for consistently communicating with citizens and getting non-emergency issues fixed fast: accountability.

Elected officials don't want the "crowdsouced finger" pointed their way, but is the accountability that comes from public information only applicable for motivating government to act? A recent post by Terra Curtis on The Living Labs Global Mobility Report, SeeClickFix and Accountability, touches upon the importance of accountability for everyone involved in the SeeClickFix ecosystem.

When performing a survey of web and mobile apps that could be useful for bicycle and pedestrian planning, I identified SeeClickFix as a promising tool. Not only did it encourage citizen participation but it made available to the public the resulting data. This could be valuable information to the planner trying to identify hotspots for capital improvements. However, one shortcoming I found was that no one was being held accountable for following up on all the issues.

Over 50% of issues reported online to SeeClickFix have been resolved offline in communities throughout the world. Now imagine how many issues would be fixed if all citizens felt as accountable as their local government for ensuring problems in their community are solved. While much of the article is focused on government accountability, ("It wouldn’t reflect very nicely on the city to have 1,000 outstanding issues and none of them actually addressed,"), she closed with some great questions about how accountability among our users can help more issues get from "open" to "closed".

What else could provide the needed accountability? What is SeeClickFix published response rates for all cities, providing a letter grade of A for the most tech-savvy, responsive cities (the carrot) and a letter grade F for unresponsive cities (the stick)? What if the citizen who creates (or follows) an issue gets pinged when the issue has gone unsolved for a designated amount of time? What if SeeClickFixers get extra “Civic Points” for getting several users to sign on to a campaign to solve a particularly stale issue?

While SeeClickFix users can already view our Top Performing Cities or receive reminders about issues they have reported, this article has us thinking about what else we can do. How can we promote accountability on SeeClickFix? What can we do to help citizens and local governments share the responsibility of raising the fix rate to well over 50%? What more can we do to empower our users online to take action in their offline community? Do you have an idea about how SeeClickFix can accomplish this? Comment here, shoot us an email or send a tweet to @seeclickfix with your ideas on promoting accountability for all!

Click here to read SeeClickFix and Accountability on Living Labs Global!

And the Winner is...

2011-06-27T11:49:00.000-04:00

From June 13 through June 24, Omidyar Network and OATV went head-to-head to see which organization could report the most issues in just two weeks---while simultaneously improving their communities. It was an action-packed 2 weeks for both our teams. Issues were reported, problems were acknowledged, concerns were closed and neighborhoods were improved thanks to the hard work of Team Omidyar and Team OATV.

The results are in and we're happy to announce the winner of the inaugural SeeClickFix Venture Capitalist Battle Royale. The new reigning champions of active citizenship...

Team OATV!

In two weeks, Team OATV reported 22 issues, 6 of which were closed and 10 of which were acknowledged by San Francisco 311. Through reporting issues, commenting on their neighbors concerns, and creating a public watch area in the Bay Area, OATV racked up a whopping total of 880 Civic Points, launching the team to Municipal Avenger status!

Civic Crusader Team Omidyar reported a total of 15 issues, with 10 issues closed and 4 issues acknowledged. The team helped to improve their community while earning an impressive 500 Civic Points during the 2 week challenge.

The SeeClickFix team would like to give special recognition (aka mad props) to Team Omidyar reporter KLM. Having reported the most issues of any other participant, we're happy to award KLM the title of official SeeClickFix VC Battle Royale MVP.

Thank you to both teams for your hard work and commitment to your communities. Although the challenge is over, we hope both teams continue SeeClickFixin' issues and improvements around the Bay Area and beyond!

Southern Connecticut State University Becomes Inaugural University Partner

2011-06-27T10:56:00.000-04:00

Southern Connecticut State University Goes Hi-Tech to Improve Its Campus Community

SCSU Will Become SeeClickFix’s Inaugural University Partner

New Haven, Conn. (June 27, 2011) – Southern Connecticut State University and SeeClickFix announce a new partnership to simultaneously empower the campus community and improve the institution’s physical environment. The university will leverage SeeClickFix’s place-based reporting platform to address non-emergency problems reported on campus, ranging from broken windows and glass to damaged sidewalks and graffiti.

“Since our launch a few years ago, we’ve partnered with countless cities, media outlets, and community groups nationwide and overseas,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “Now, that list has expanded to include academic institutions thanks to SCSU. We look forward to seeing how our online technology helps create offline results.”

With the reporting platform, students, faculty, and staff can report quality-of-life campus concerns through custom service request categories through the online, mobile (iPhone, Android, and Blackberry), and Facebook platforms, and also provide additional information about the problem through the description or image options. Once someone submits an issue, the reporter and those responsible for fixing the problem will receive email notifications. The facilities department can then acknowledge the service request and update the issue page once it’s been resolved.

The partnership allows individuals to not only report campus issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by others. They can even create “watch areas” to receive notifications about issues reported on campus, enabling individuals to follow the progress of all service requests.

Robert G. Sheeley, Associate Vice President for Capital Budgeting & Facilities Operations, introduced the idea of partnering SCSU with SeeClickFix. Sheeley believes SeeClickFix will enhance the capabilities and responsiveness of the facilities department through its transparent and accessible platform.

“With this public, user-friendly forum, we can more efficiently address campus concerns and more closely connect with students, faculty, and staff to solve these problems that impact everyone,” he said.

Thomas Struble, Coordinator of Property/Inventory/Stores/Receiving, will administer SeeClickFix on campus.

“It will improve the lines of communication between campus facilities and the people it serves while also creating a safer and more vibrant environment,” he said.

With commuters comprising the majority of SCSU’s student population, interim president Dr. Stanley Battle hopes SeeClickFix will engage both on-campus and off-campus students.

“Our goal is to engage all students, not just the ones living on campus, and encourage them to improve their surroundings,” he said. “SeeClickFix places the power directly in the hands of the campus community.”

The SeeClickFix widget, mobile applications, and Facebook App can be found here.

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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. For more information on SeeClickFix or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

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Growing the Team. Building The Neighborhood.

2011-06-23T15:43:00.004-04:00

In the last few months you may have noticed some new team members at SCF. We wanted to give a belated welcome and a huge thank you to Jeff Mooney, Megan Dalton, Emma Richards and Greta Hotop. I'll be following up with individual posts on each of them in the coming weeks but we wanted to start by highlighting the community management and partner development team as a whole as we're truly impressed with their ability to strengthen and grow the SCF neighborhood. We also wanted to offer a big thank you to Amanda Smyth from Fairfield University and Thomas Gaudett from Harvard University who are interning with us this Summer and providing support to the team while learning about working at a rapidly scaling start-up.

The new team has been busy with new media partners, existing media partners, new and old SideClicks on 6 continents and signing on the host of new governments to SCF Plus. Also, as the default frontman for SCF its been really exciting to see that role distributed to Megan who recently did an Ignite presentation at Sparkcamp, Emma who spoke in Barcelona at Barcelona Digital Congress and Jeff who has spoken at City Camp Raleigh and MCitizen in DC. Its a great feeling as a founder to be able to trust that our initial vision is being represented equally passionately through the evangelism of early employees.

As a last note I also wanted to acknowledge the hard work that some of the team members have been putting into improving our own community here in New Haven and surrounding areas. Emma and Greta haven been helping to fix an SCF issue that I raised a few years ago and soon Megan, Tom, Amanda, Kam and I will be assisting as well. Through a tree planting initiative with the Urban Resources Initiative in New Haven the team has and will be planting trees under the Humphrey Street Overpass so that it becomes equally an Underpass. It is important to us that team members at SCF not only talk about fixing communities but also get their hands dirty and do some fixing themselves. Read more about the trees being planted here:

Community Manager Emma Richards and SCF Super User David Streever Fixing up the neighborhood

A huge welcome and thank you to the new team members helping communities around the world help themselves.

Stonington Will Use SeeClickFix to Address Residents’ Concerns

2011-06-23T11:54:00.000-04:00

First Selectman Announces Partnership with New Citizen Reporting Tool

Town of Stonington Will Use SeeClickFix to Address Residents’ Concerns

Stonington, Conn. (June 23, 2011) – Today, First Selectman Edward Haberek, Jr. announces a new partnership with an online reporting platform that will enable Stonington residents to submit non-emergency problems and request city services. Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to tree requests and community murals.

“Through this public forum, we’re hoping to simultaneously engage and empower our residents to assist us with improving the community,” Haberek said. “We like the idea of connecting government with the governed, and the governed with each other.”

With the online reporting platform, residents can report quality-of-life concerns through custom service request categories via SeeClickFix.com, Facebook app, or mobile application, and provide additional information about the issue through the description or image options. Once someone submits an issue, the reporter and the town of Stonington will receive email notifications. The local government can then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper department, and update the issue page once it’s been resolved.

“SeeClickFix is one way that we can improve our communication with the people we serve while also addressing issues in a timely fashion as they arise,” said Joe Bragaw, director of public works. “By allowing the public to email us issues with pictures, we can quickly assess the priority of the issues and by using this program, we can either ask for additional information and/or send out an email telling the person that the issue has been resolved.”

The partnership allows residents to not only report community issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by others. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about issues reported throughout the town or just in their neighborhood, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests.

“Since Gutenberg’s printing press, technology has been used to connect citizens with their government. SeeClickFix extends this tradition by enabling citizens to harness the power of the open web,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “We’re excited to see how Stonington uses our online technology to empower its residents to take care of their offline community.”

The SeeClickFix Stonington website can be found here: http://seeclickfix.com/stonington 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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. Over 40 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

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Fall in Love with Reporting Issues

2011-06-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

As you've been improving your surroundings by reporting community issues to SeeClickFix, you may have noticed yourself checking out some changes on our main site! Launched last week, our slick new reporting form makes it simpler than ever for our users to See, Click and Fix problems in their neighborhood. What makes SeeClickFix convinced you'll love our new reporting form? Glad you asked!

It has Beauty AND Brains
New features mean aesthetically pleasing, accurate reporting

Aside from being ridiculously good looking, our new reporting form is pretty darn smart. Know the physical address of your issue? Can you pinpoint your problem on a map? Or perhaps a combination of both will help you locate what you want to report?

Selecting "Updating map and form automatically" in the top left corner of step 1 ensures both the map and the reporting form will be working together to precisely locate your issue.

What if you're reporting an issue in a park or public place without a defined street address? No sweat! Just uncheck the "Updating map and form automatically" box, drop the pin where your issue is located, and enter an approximate address in the form. Below is an example of how to report an issue in a park. By dropping the pin where my issue is located and entering an approximate street address, I'm ready to move on to step 2!

It Isn't Afraid of Commitment
Locking in your location ensures you'll commit to the right category

Once you've mapped your issue location, it will be locked in as you proceed to step 2, to ensure that the service categories you can select from are appropriate for your location. However, you can always go back to update your address or map marker (or both!) if need be by clicking "Change" in the top right corner of the map.

It Gives you Your Space
Report anonymously, even when you're logged in.

If you're logged in, but wish to report an issue anonymously to SeeClickFix, simply click "Report as Another User" at the bottom of step 2 and enter the display name and email address you wish to use. Change your mind? That's okay! Hit "Report as Logged in User" to report under your account.

Ready to fall in love with SeeClickFix all over again? Get to know our new reporting form by reporting an issue today! Start a report from your community's issue page, or hit the quick report button (right) to start from any page on our site. Once you're done, be sure to let us know what you think! Share your feedback as a comment here, email it to us, or tweet it @seeclickfix.

Making Houston Great

2011-06-20T11:56:00.000-04:00

With the help of Eric Melchor, the game of Bingo will be getting a SeeClickFix makeover. A Houston native, marketing pro, and superstar SideClick, Melchor recently launched Htown Bingo--a citywide Bingo tournament designed to empower citizens to take care of their community using SeeClickFix.

Having recently become a first-time homeowner in Houston, Melchor found himself wanting to become involved in his community, Midtown Houston. After reading about SeeClickFix in FastCompany, Melchor thought the online tool could help him and his fellow residents become engaged in their communities:

I read how other cities were using the tool to fix potholes, recommend bike paths / racks, recommend community gardens, help reduce crime, remove graffiti, etc. The thing that really fascinated me was how residents could see other issues that were reported by their neighbors and they themselves could vote to fix these issues and comment on them as well. Much more effective than using 311 - since multiple voices are being heard and the issues could be tracked as well.

This is where Htown Bingo comes into play. Melchor hopes this fun and competitive game will not only raise awareness about issues in his environment, but also increase SeeClickFix activity in Houston--active citizenship with a competitive twist!

To participate, download the Htown Bingo board, and get ready to see, click, and fix issues in Harris County. The rules are simple:

Look at the revealed squares on the bingo board. When you find something around Houston that matches one of the squares (like graffiti or a pothole), take a picture of it and upload the information to SeeClickFix.com. You can use either the mobile app or SeeClickFix.com to make the report. After you’ve reported your finding to SeeClickFix, tweet the information and picture using the hashtags #htownbingo and #houston – or post it directly to Htown Bingo’s Facebook wall. Mark off that square off your Bingo board.

Every two to three weeks, new squares will be revealed by someone in the Houston community including bloggers, media outlets, and community centers. MommaFindings recently revealed the first Bingo square clue: Cleanup Day. You can get clues about the upcoming bingo squares on the site's 'Hint' section. Melchor believes this twist distinguishes Htown Bingo from the traditional game:

I'm realistic in the sense knowing that I won't be able to get all Houston residents using SCF over night, thus I created a game that will span out over the course of about a year.

Instead of yelling "Bingo," participants will be using social media channels to announce their win. After you've marked off five squares in a row, tweet the famous catchphrase using the hashtag #htownbingo OR post your win to Htown Bingo’s Facebook wall. The first ten people who get Bingo will receive prizes ranging from a Snuggie to $25 Amazon gift card.

The SeeClickFix team would like to thank Eric for not only spreading the SeeClickFix word, but also for demonstrating how one person can make a difference in his community. We look forward to seeing how the competition pans out, and hope you'll follow the action on Eric's blog, @HtownBingo, or Facebook!

Drumroll, Please!

2011-06-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

Back in April, we told you about the Newbold Neighbors Association's SeeClickFix contest. Well, the contest recently ended and the results are in. Drumroll, please!

With a total of 31 submissions, Mr. T (willey) takes home the 'Squeakiest Wheel award' with reports submitted about issues ranging from graffiti to overgrown lots. With 10 entries, Sammy Pants takes home the 'Captain Random award.' Both individuals will receive their delicious and aromatic awards at the the organization's next meeting. Congrats to both SeeClickFixers and a huge thanks to everyone that participated!

While the contest may have ended, that doesn't mean that Newbold residents should stop submitting reports. In fact, this should encourage fellow neighbors to step up their game and continue reporting issues and improvements here!

Trees, please!

2011-06-13T17:25:00.000-04:00

The SeeClickFix Team, with help from Yale's Urban Resources Initiative and the Upper State Street Association, will be kicking off our "summer planting series" (unofficial title) tomorrow, Tuesday June 14th near the Humphrey Street underpass!

Want to join the SeeClickFix team and help us plant two cherry trees tomorrow night? Leave a comment here, on SeeClickFix Issue #106353 - Trees Needed, or just show up. We will be meeting near the Humphrey Street underpass at 6PM sharp. Bring your friends and your green thumb! Can't make it tomorrow? Stay tuned for updates on our future plantings, right here on the SeeClickFix Blog!

SeeClickFix on Al Jazeera's 'The Stream'

2011-06-13T15:34:00.000-04:00

Recently launched by Al Jazeera English, 'The Stream' (@AJStream) focuses on the 'extraordinary potential of social media to disseminate news.' A few days ago, contributor David Cohn (@DigiDave) discussed his experience using SeeClickFix in its episode focused on micro-blogging and crowdsourcing:

Spot.Us has used a similar tool called SeeClickFix to map potholes in Oakland. We got 15 bikers, they all went in different directions, found the biggest potholes, and we mapped them. I'll say that the potholes weren't as bad as that flood [in Saudi Arabia] looked, but still that was the kind of thing where we could go in and bring it to the city officials' attention and see what we could do to fix them.

Cohn added that you can't fix something unless you have information about it. We couldn't agree more. Online tools like SeeClickFix display information publicly, making it accessible to anyone in the world. With that information comes power. And with that power comes the ability to make change.

A Bike-Friendly Fix in Brooklyn

2011-06-13T14:18:00.000-04:00

Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association (CoWNA) member Brad Kerr had a neighbor with a seemingly simple request: a bike rack in front of his home. Realizing that the lack of racks was widespread in their neighborhood, Brad spearheaded an effort to bring more bike parking to the Columbia Waterfront last year. Brad's research on how to fix an issue for his neighbor ended up empowering him to fix the issue for the entire neighborhood! After speaking with Dave Abraham from Transportation Alternatives and SeeClickFix bike rack expert Dan Latorre, he learned while it was a hard mission to accomplish it wasn't impossible.

SEE: An empty sidewalk in need of a bike rack

The key to getting a bike rack? Ask for a lot! Armed community manpower and the SeeClickFix mobile app, Brad and 10 of his neighbors set out to document the need for bike racks. The crew met at the corner of Columbia and Union where they received a quick lesson on how to use the SeeClickFix app, and how to identify potential bike rack locations to report. The group fanned out around the neighborhood, SeeClickFixin' locations that needed a proper place to park a bike. In total, the group reported over 30 issues with their suggestions from their mobile phones.

CLICK: CoWNA organized a team to hit the streets and map locations for bike racks using the SeeClickFix mobile app

Nearly a year after the bike rack blitz, CoWNA board member Chris Barker woke up last week to see some welcomed additions to the neighborhood. Bike racks had been installed overnight, and in the places suggested on SeeClickFix! He quickly shared the news on Twitter, showcasing this community accomplishment to the world. Chris was even kind enough to share a slew of pictures of the new bike racks with us and our followers.

FIX: One of many bike racks recently installed in the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood!

According to Brad, residents have been putting the racks to good use since the moment they were installed last week. However, a mystery remains: who was responsible for the fix? If anyone knows who was behind the bounty of new bike racks, let us know! Leave a comment here, or give us your tip @seeclickfix! Whoever the fixer may be, the SeeClickFix team couldn't be happier to see the positive changes Brad, Chris and all at CoWNA made to their neighborhood using our platform!

SeeClickFix Battle Royale: Omidyar v. OATV

2011-06-13T11:46:00.000-04:00

The SeeClickFix team proudly announces its inaugural SeeClickFix Venture Capitalist Battle Royale! Starting today and ending June 24th, Omidyar Network and OATV will be going head-to-head to see which organization can report the most issues in just two weeks---while simultaneously improving their communities. Who doesn't love some good ol' fashioned competition?

The two organizations must work as teams to fight blight through SeeClickFix's various reporting channels. Luckily, we've set up two team accounts, TeamOmidyar and TeamOATV, through which everyone can report their concerns or suggestions. At the end of each week, we will track the progress and post the stats on this blog, Facebook page, and @SeeClickFix.

Both teams should keep in mind two things. When reporting issues, team members should include their full initials (first, middle, and last) at the bottom of their issue description. We will be using this information to identify a weekly team MVP. Similarly, points will not be rewarded for duplicate issues, so be sure everyone keeps track of what their fellow teammates are reporting.

To follow the action, check out their SeeClickFix profiles: TeamOATV and TeamOmidyar. We'll be periodically updating our social media channels with competition news during the two weeks, so stay tuned. Let the games begin!

They're Number 1!

2011-06-10T15:03:00.001-04:00

A big congrats to SeeClickFix client La Plata County, CO for accomplishing their goal of becoming our Top Performing City! With a City Score of 111, La Plata County is now on top of our leader boards for their superstar response to citizens using SeeClickFix.

Since signing on with SeeClickFix in April, our partnership with La Plata County has allowed residents to report country road maintenance, damage, or other minor issues directly to the La Plata County Department of Public Works. Upon learning of their Top Performing City status, La Plata County spread the good news to the community in a press release on their website. In addition to some much earned bragging, Director of La Plata County Public Works Jim Davis also explained in their release the importance of our tool for the public.

See click fix is another communication tool that the public can use to alert the County Public Works Department of public safety or maintenance issues impacting our county roads. Most comments have been relevant and about issues that we can address.

Want to know out how your city stacks up against La Plata County? Check out the SeeClickFix Top Performing Cities rankings by clicking here. If you think your city has what it takes to dethrone our new champ, let them know you think they have what it takes to become a SeeClickFix Top Performer! Report an issue, share it with your neighbors and friends, and be sure you sign up your local government to receive alerts about community concerns!

To read the press release from La Plata County, click here!

SeeClickFix Turns Clients into Comedians

2011-06-08T17:09:00.000-04:00

We know at first glance Issue #94891- Manholes sticking out of the road, is no laughing matter. However, SeeClickFix government client Raleigh, NC gave us a pretty good laugh while delivering a timely response to the citizen reporter. The issue description read:

When heading Eastbound on Morgan, if you are in the middle lane and traveling through Person St there are two manholes side by side protruding from the ground.It will give you a pretty good jolt as I have accidentally hit send many times on my Blackberry while texting through that intersection.

While SeeClickFix users were quick to point out the issue with this issue, the City of Raleigh officially (and hilariously) acknowledged both.

Shortly after the issue was acknowledged, the issue was closed out along with another friendly reminder to Raleigh residents (and everyone, really!).

Thank you to the City of Raleigh for demonstrating how governmental transparency helps promote both civic engagement and a good sense of humor!

Age-Friendly Cities are a Timeless Idea

2011-06-08T11:17:00.000-04:00

Spoiler alert: the suggestions offered in the article discussed below are not only valuable and awesome, but also are being voiced by citizens on SeeClickFix each day!

According to the U.S. Census, the population of people 65 or older in America is expected to double by the year 2030. Worldwide, it is estimated that the global population of people over 60 will double by 2050. As the population of senior citizens continues to grow, the number of people living in urban areas does as well. What does this simultaneous surge in population mean for the aging? How will urban planners and local officials with limited resources ensure cities are accessible to everyone? A recent article in Governing titled Seniors and the City explores what is being done to make cities more age-friendly.

...there are steps cities can take to make a place more attractive to the elderly without costing an arm and a leg. Take crosswalks. By adding more time, cities can turn what seem like fast dashes for some into less stressful pedestrian crossings. If lengthening crosswalk time might trip up traffic patterns, the use of pedestrian islands at major intersections could be another solution to this small but nagging problem.

The article illustrates how small, inexpensive changes in urban environments can make a positive impact on our aging population. A few extra seconds on a crosswalk signal or additional handicap parking spaces are examples of the types of minor tweaks that can create a major improvement in quality of life for older residents. Furthermore, creating more accommodating urban public spaces that are inviting to all citizens benefits everyone who calls a city "home", regardless of age!

Here at SeeClickFix, the idea of using our platform to benefit our elders isn't a new idea. With help from citizens of all ages, cities and towns can use our technology to promote an inclusive, age-friendly urban environment. As the saying goes, we're not getting any younger. We all must take an active role in making our cities accessible to everyone, not only to benefit our elders but for our own benefit as well. How would you improve your community to benefit an aging population? Know of a scary sidewalk or a bus stop that needs more benches? Tell us! Report an issue on SeeClickFix and share it with us here, on Facebook, or on Twitter @seeclickfix.

To read the original article, click here!

Hartford Goes Hi-Tech With Resident Reporting Tool

2011-06-07T15:10:00.002-04:00

HARTFORD GOES HI-TECH WITH RESIDENT REPORTING TOOL

311 UTILIZING SeeClickFix TO FURTHER ADDRESS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

---NEWS AND COMMUNITY RELEASE---

(June 7, 2011) – Today, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra announced a new partnership to increase and expand how Hartford residents can request city services and report non-emergency problems. Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to tree requests and speeding.

“This new partnership will engage and empower all of our residents to actively participate in improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Segarra. “With its online tool and mobile apps, SeeClickFix places the power directly in the hands of the people who live, work, and visit our City.”

Last month, City Council Minority Leader Luis Cotto invited city residents to start reporting quality of life issues via SeeClickFix.com and its mobile apps.

“311 is great for internal routing of work orders and intra-governmental accountability, but its user interface is somewhat opaque to residents,” Cotto said. “By using SeeClickFix, residents can see what others have identified as problems and interact to help solve quality of life and infrastructure problems in their neighborhoods.”

With the online reporting platform, residents and visitors alike can report quality-of-life concerns through custom service request categories via SeeClickFix.com, Facebook, or mobile application, and provide additional information about the problem through the in-depth description or image options. Once someone submits an issue, the reporter and Hartford 311 Call Center will receive email notifications. Hartford 311 will then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper department, and update the issue page once it’s been resolved.

“SeeClickFix provides residents and our 311 constituent representatives with an efficient, transparent, and user-friendly forum where everyone can be kept informed about challenges (and projects completed) in their community,” said Andy Jaffee, Director of Emergency Services and Telecommunications which oversees the 311 Call Center. “It will not only improve the lines of communication between 311 and the people it serves, but also help improve our city services overall.”

The partnership allows individuals to not only report community issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by others. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about issues reported throughout the entire city or just in their neighborhood, enabling individuals to follow the progress of all service requests.

“Being based in Connecticut, we’re extremely excited to now count the city of Hartford among our government partners,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “The Internet continues to prove itself as a tool for civic empowerment. With our technology, we hope Hartford residents will actively engage with one another and their local government online to enact change offline.”

The SeeClickFix Hartford website can be found here: http://www.seeclickfix.com/hartford.
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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. Over 40 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

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SeeClickFix for Safer Roads

2011-06-06T14:38:00.000-04:00

SeeClickFix media partner The Saratogian is at it again, bringing attention to a hazardous stretch of road in Saratoga Springs, New York. As part of their ongoing SeeClickFix Series, The Saratogian recently highlighted Issue #55010 - Large dip creates horrific accidents. The issue was anonymously reported nearly 9 months ago.

The large dip in Petrified Sea Gardens Road is quite a dangerous spot. I have seen three major accidents in which an ambulance took one or more severely injured people. At the very least, would it be possible to put signs at the top of the hill? If you take this hill too fast, you run a strong risk of wiping out. It is very steep, and cannot see who is coming until you crest over the hill.

Shortly after being reported, other residents began commenting on the issue and voting for it's fix. From speeding drivers to lack of signage, SeeClickFix users had a variety of opinions about what exactly makes this hill so dangerous to motorists and cyclists. A commenter named Von summarized the number of factors that contribute to this issue:

Even if both parties are traveling the speed limit this area is still a dangerous location. The problem is a combination of a blind hill and the fact that the road also bends at that point. This mean someone who's traveling south needs to adjust to the right as they crest the hill otherwise they'll find themselves in the oncoming lane. This is all compounded by the fact that few people adhere to the speed limits while traveling through here. Something certainly needs to be done to make this situation safe.

With the help of The Saratogian, and the 20 SeeClickFixers who voted on this report, this issue is getting the attention of public officials in Saratoga Springs. Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth told The Saratogian he was not familiar with the commenters’ particular concerns, but said that he would gladly send staff to investigate the SeeClickFix issue. Wirth also explained to the paper that the city can review the accident history on the road and see if it merits a traffic study.

We're proud to again see media, citizens and local government coming together to resolve community issues using SeeClickFix. Thank you to The Saratogian and all in Saratoga Springs who voiced their concerns about the hazardous street. SeeClickFix is looking forward to seeing the final fix for this problem!

To read the story on The Saratogian website, click here!

SubSeries Announces Partnership with SeeClickFix

2011-06-06T12:01:00.000-04:00

SubSeries Announces Partnership with SeeClickFix

SeeClickFix Will Provide SubSeries With Online Tool to Generate Citizen Feedback

New York, New York (June 6, 2011) -- With hopes of engaging public imagination and soliciting ideas from subway riders, SubSeries announces its new partnership with citizen-reporting platform SeeClickFix to transform the urban landscape of New York City subway stations. Curated by design partnership Baukunst Studio, SubSeries serves as an unsolicited design initiative to visualize the future of the public space at twelve subway stations.

The project brings together over 20 emerging New York-based architects, designers, and artists to address the question: "What are the most optimistic strategies for reforming this network of unclaimed public space?" SubSeries will not only highlight existing problems, but also envision a positive urban future that builds upon the existing subway infrastructure.

Through SeeClickFix's platform, SubSeries hopes to collect information and suggestions from NYC residents about how to improve these urban environments. The project opened one 'ticket' for each of the twelve SubSeries subway stations including Grand Central, Columbus Circle, and Harlem 125th Street. By posting comments, users can share what they think should change and suggest their visions for these spaces.

“Over the years, the Internet has proven itself as a powerful tool for empowering citizens and enacting change,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO and co-founder. “With our technology, we hope NYC residents will actively engage with one another and suggest offline changes to reclaim the city’s public spaces.”

This evening, SubSeries will continue sparking public dialogue at the “preview” of its upcoming fall exhibition (date TBD) at Columbia University’s Studio X gallery (180 Varick Street). The free event starts at 6:00pm and will be open to the public.

“We plan to present a rapid synopsis of the design ideas for the twelve subway stations followed by an open conversation about the future of SubSeries,” said Elizabeth Lasater, exhibition co-curator and Baukunst Studio co-founder. “The goal of this discussion is to develop a strategy to attract attention from city and community organizations so that the project reaches beyond the architecture community to penetrate the imagination of New York City residents.”

Throughout the year, SubSeries hosted 12 charrettes, or in-depth conversations focused on re-imagining the public space of subway stations, which resulted in visual documentation of these visions. SubSeries presented these work-in-progress sketches at the Festival of Ideas for the New City earlier this month. Next year, SubSeries is invited to display its exhibition in both Rio de Janeiro and Mumbai. These exhibitions will act as catalysts for two additional unsolicited design series about the public space and urban infrastructure within each of these cities.

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. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. Over 40 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

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TechSoup Launches "Projects We're Watching" Series

2011-05-27T15:34:00.000-04:00

Having followed our website for several years, TechSoup Global recently featured SeeClickFix as the inaugural project in its new "Projects We're Watching" blog series. The series will explore "the most interesting and inspiring initiatives that are doing good in ways that are not only sustainable, but that also have the potential to create wide-reaching systemic change." While TechSoup nicely summarizes our online tool, it also elaborates on its success and possibilities:

We like the above examples [IdleFreePhilly, New Haven, Hartford, and Dallas] because they illustrate how technology, NGO's and citizens working together can take the burden off of local government and help make communities better places to live, work and play. The fact that SeeClickFix is using citizen-generated data to make community issues transparent shows it can be successfully applied to non-emergency problems and even social causes (like clean air), but we are also intrigued by its possible application in disaster response and resource sharing and conservation (like food).

With this series, TechSoup hopes to better understand the featured projects' applications and implications for the nonprofit community. To accomplish this, TechSoup needs your help. If you want to contribute to the conversation, post a comment here. SeeClickFix looks forward to seeing how this series develops!

The Wonder of a Widget

2011-05-26T18:35:00.000-04:00

On the SeeClickFix blog, we tend to focus on the flurry of activity happening each day on our website. Even as you're reading this, new issues are being reported by users, comments are being posted by community groups and tickets are being closed by our government clients. Wishing your homepage could help improve your surroundings offline? If you're a community group member, local blogger or anyone else with a website and a strong sense of neighborhood pride, you're in luck! We're all about sharing here at SeeClickFix, which is why we have made it easy to get in on the action with our map and text widgets.

Embedding one of our widgets allows people to report issues to SeeClickFix directly through your page, simultaneously improving your surroundings while driving traffic to your site. It's a cool tool that puts the power of the SeeClickFix platform on your own page! In only 3 easy steps, your website could join the fun with a shiny new map or text widget!

Step 1.
Navigate over to the SeeClickFix widget page by clicking here.

Step 2.
Choose your widget (map, simplified map or text) and complete the form. Find your location, set the width and height, give your new widget a title! You can even create a widget that filters the issues displayed by keyword! Once you've created a widget perfectly customized for your website, click "Create Widget".

Step 3.
SeeClickFix will automatically generate a code for your widget. Copy the embed code into an HTML element anywhere on your site.

SeeClickFix widgets have been featured on a wide range of websites for media outlets, community groups and hyperlocal news sources. Know of a great blog or community group site that features a SeeClickFix widget? Did this blog post inspire you to make over your homepage while empowering your friends and neighbors? We would love to see the sites where our users are reporting issues from! In the spirit of sharing, leave a comment here with a link or tweet us @seeclickfix!

Sparking Innovation at CityCamp Raleigh

2011-05-25T12:50:00.000-04:00

Last year, Chicago became the first city to host its own CityCamp, 'an unconference focused on innovation for municipal governments and community organizations.' Just months after launching SeeClickFix, the city of Raleigh will be hosting its very own unconference geared towards creating solutions for open government.

Scheduled from June 3 to 5, CityCamp Raleigh serves as a series of "open sourced talks, workshops, and hands-on problem solving, to re-imagine the way the web, applications, technology, and participation will shape the future of our city." As an 'unconference,' CityCamp Raleigh participants determine the focus and content themselves, playing active roles in each session coordinated by the facilitators.

Hoping to highlight the importance of collaboration, CityCamp Raleigh will bring together participants from countless industries, ranging from government and business to non-profit, academia, and community-based. With these various entities, many voices will come together to propose solutions for one community.

With SeeClickFix already implemented citywide, City Councilman (and event organizer) Bonner Gaylord hopes CityCamp Raleigh will produce similar innovative and tech-savvy solutions for local municipalities. According to The News & Observer, there are already twenty suggestions on CityCamp Raleigh's website including:

[...] ideas for an app that shows an overview of how the city's comprehensive plan would affect your neighborhood, an app that lets bus riders know when their stop is coming up and an app that shows which nearby parking decks have the most available spaces.

Planning committee co-chairman Jason Hibbets hopes CityCamp Raleigh will be just the beginning:

It's a really important thing to have this dialogue between all these stakeholders. We're looking at this event as being a catalyst to kind of kick-start all this, and turn this event into a movement.

SeeClickFix looks forward to attending CityCamp Raleigh and helping participants create community-based, technological solutions to promote the next generation of local governments.

Washington D.C. CTO Announces SeeClickFix Integration with Open311

2011-05-24T15:49:00.000-04:00

Today, District of Columbia Acting Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Rob Mancini officially announced the integration of SeeClickFix with D.C.'s Open311 system. While citizens in the District have been reporting issues and directly connecting with city officials through our platform for almost a year, the official announcement will encourage even more D.C. residents to improve their communities through SeeClickFix!

DISTRICT INTEGRATES 311-SERVICE REQUEST SYSTEM WITH SEECLICKFIX

Integration Lets Citizens Take the Lead in Fixing City Problems

Today District of Columbia Acting Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Rob Mancini announced that the District has expanded the avenues available to residents, businesses, and visitors for requesting city services and reporting non-emergency problems online. Now a citizen who spots a problem can report it instantly to the city’s 311 non-emergency service center using a web-enabled or mobile device.

SeeClickFix custom mobile app in D.C.

The District is offering the new functionality through a new integration between the city’s 311 Customer Request and Work Order system and SeeClickFix. SeeClickFix is a free mobile and web platform that allows citizens to submit online reports of non-emergency public problems to governments. The SeeClickFix platform is available in many locations and formats, including mobile phones and widgets on the Washington Post and other city blogs. Citizens can access SeeClickFix at SeeClickFix.com, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/daily-gripe/index.html, and http://dc.thecityfix.com.

Now, when a citizen reports a problem on SeeClickFix, the new integration function will automatically create a report and service request in the District’s 311 system. For example, a citizen who spots a pothole, graffiti, bulk trash, or downed tree can use a mobile device to snap a photo with the GPS location or address and submit it to SeeClickFix. In less than 30 seconds, the problem can be on its way to resolution. When the status of a service request is updated, the District’s 311 system generates an automatic alert to the requester and citizens tracking the issue.

The SeeClickFix integration also allows District residents to comment on problems and service requests posted by others, vote to fix specific problems, and even create “watch areas” to keep tabs on a particular location in the city.

Overall, the integration of See ClickFix with the District’s 311 system ensures a seamless flow of information between residents and District officials, and a more efficient way of fixing problems throughout the city.

SeeClickFix is connecting to the District’s 311 system through the District’s Open311 API. API (application programming interface) is a free, open web standard now used by many U.S. companies and governments to help customers interact with their data and services. In June 2009, the District became the first city in the world to launch an Open 311 API.

Open 311 lets citizens take the reins in dispatching the city services they want. It answers the common complaint that citizens’ concerns get buried in government bureaucracy.

“With Open 311, we’re improving city services and bringing government closer to the people,” said District Acting CTO Mancini. “Our integration with SeeClickFix creates a dynamic new partnership between government and citizens to solve problems that affect us all.”

To learn more about DC Government technology initiatives, visit www.octo.dc.gov.

A Crowdsourced Tree Canopy

2011-05-20T16:31:00.002-04:00

Here in the Elm City, the Yale Urban Resources Initiative (URI) and the City of New Haven are in the midst of a campaign that aims to restore a diminishing tree canopy, while simultaneously benefiting our community in countless ways. The Tree Haven 10k is an effort to plant 10,000 trees citywide by 2014. The URI website explains how accomplishing this ambitious goal is possible.

Achieving this vision of protecting and enhancing New Haven't tree canopy will require both a public and private participation, as residents control the largest percentage of the city's tree canopy. The TreeHaven 10K campaign aims to match 5,000 trees planted on public lands by GreenSkills interns with 5,000 trees planted on private land by homeowners and major institutions. Together, the goal of 10,000 trees is well within reach.

The URI also explains how by reducing stormwater runoff, improving air quality and public health, and lowering energy bills, street trees in New Haven currently save the city a whopping $4 million! Now imagine the savings once the Tree Haven 10k is complete by checking out the Tree Benefits Calculator powered by DC based NPO Casey Trees. The URI also provides a wealth of Tree Haven 10k tools where residents can log trees they've planted to count towards the 10k, request a tree to be planted for free in front of their home, figure out what tree would be best for them to plant and even see an up-to-date map of the New Haven tree canopy.

SeeClickFix CEO Ben Berkowitz reported Issue #10612 - Street Trees Needed and Issue #1441 - Trees Needed, to draw attention to areas in his neighborhood that he saw needed some tree TLC. With the help of the URI, the SeeClickFix team will be planting new trees this summer, adding to the Tree Haven 10k tree canopy map!

At SeeClickFix, we are starting to rethink the old saying "money doesn't grow on trees"! The Tree Haven 10k is an example of how New Haven is proactively planting, however, communities everywhere are jumping on board and doing their part. SeeClickFix quickly found organizations in Tucson, Richmond, Raleigh and Atlanta whose mission is to help restore the tree canopy in their towns.

Can your community stand to be a little more green? Tell us about it! Report an issue to SeeClickFix showing your community where you'd like to see more trees planted, then leave it as a comment here or tweet it to us @seeclickfix!

To learn more about the URI and Tree Haven 10k, click here!

Digitizing the Big Apple

2011-05-20T13:36:00.001-04:00

From 'The Big Apple' and 'Empire City' to 'Gotham' and 'The City That Never Sleeps,' New York City has worn many hats over the years. With the release of NYC Digital's roadmap, NYC hopes to add 'The Digital City' to its nickname collection.

Yesterday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chief Digital Officer Rachel Sterne announced the city's comprehensive strategy to unlocking NYC's digital future in its "Roadmap for the Digital City: Achieving New York City's Digital Future." Established last summer, NYC Digital seeks to create a "healthier civil society and stronger democracy through the use of technology that engages, serves, and connects citizens." Mayor Bloomberg explained the context behind the agency's planned initiatives:

New York City has taken great strides in the last nine years with digital innovation. More than 25 million people visit NYC.gov each year, which is nearly the same amount of people who come to Central Park. This digital roadmap paves the way for the coming years of innovation in City government and demonstrates the importance of everyone having access to new technological advancements and resources.

In collaboration with city agencies, public and private sectors, and citizens, the 90-day report consists of four pillars: Access, Open Government, Engagement, and Industry. With these pillars, NYC seeks to improve the lives of New Yorkers by increasing its transparency, engagement, efficiency, accessibility, and innovation. To do this, the city will unveil new social media partnerships. Listed among these possible partnerships was SeeClickFix.

There is a wide range of additional digital tools that the City of New York is currently evaluating for use by agencies, including platforms that support civic engagement, community, creativity, and sustainability, such as Catchafire, Kickstarter, Meetup, and SeeClickFix.

With SeeClickFix, the city can engage with residents in a more efficient and transparent manner, and allow citizens to connect with their government and each other about issues in their neighborhoods. We're excited to see how NYC transforms itself with technology and hope to support the city on its digital journey! View the full document here.

Just a Tweet in the Park

2011-05-18T10:29:00.000-04:00

From urban gardens to community murals, we're all about improving the quality of public spaces across the globe. According to TreeHugger, these public spaces may be getting more social (and social media-savvy) with the help of Chris McNicholl.

Designed by McNicholl, the TweetingSeat serves as an interactive park bench designed to connect physical and digital communities. Every time someone sits on the bench, it sends a tweet with two photos: one of the individual(s) on the bench and one of the surrounding environment. Similar to the tweeting tree, the TweetingSeat connects the 'digital to the physical,' using social media to bridge the gap between individuals and their environment. McNicholl explains:

TweetingSeat has been created in order to explore the environments in which it is placed and look at the people whom it encounters. The way in which the bench should be used has purposely been left open, allowing people and communities to build their own relationship with it.

With public space issues regularly reported via SeeClickFix, we want to hear what you think about the TweetingSeat. Do you think it can increase usage of parks and public spaces? Will it help communities become more social? Would you be okay with your photo being broadcast to the Twitterverse? Most important, do you want one in your neighborhood? Leave a comment below or reply @SeeClickFix.

Mapping Bright Ideas on SeeClickFix

2011-05-16T11:22:00.000-04:00

For 19 days in January, residents in Huntsville, AL used SeeClickFix to post and share their ideas for the future of economic development and planning in their community. As part of a city wide economic development summit, SeeClickFix powered their IDEAS Map, helping to collect nearly 1,000 ideas and over 4,800 votes from Huntsville residents between January 14 and February 1. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle explained the inspiration behind the summit, as well as the importance of the IDEAS Map in the community's economic success.

"The successes we've seen in economic development over the past year have been unmatched by any other community in our nation," said Mayor Tommy Battle. "Each of those successes started with an idea - and this summit is another incredible way for our residents to bring their ideas to the table. This summit is a chance for our residents to focus on economic development, learn more about our successes, our plans for the future - and, most importantly, present their ideas."

Ideas ranged from a grocery store in an underused retail space to improved public transportation throughout the Huntsville area. Residents discussed their ideas, voted for each others suggestions and provided city planners with a wealth of data to utilize in courting new developers. "Developing Ideas: Bright Ideas for Retail Development" was presented on April 7th and featured the almost one thousand ideas Huntsville residents submitted to their city through SeeClickFix. The top ideas submitted to the SeeClickFix IDEA Map were divided into several categories focused towards developing retail and restaurant offerings in Huntsville. Residents also used SeeClickFix to advocate for the sections of Huntsville they believed would be most attractive to potential developers.

From issues to ideas, or from graffiti to grocery stores, improving your community is a click away with SeeClickFix. We applaud Huntsville residents for taking an active role in their economic future, as well as their city officials for engaging citizens through the IDEAS Map!

To read the final report "Developing Ideas: Bright Ideas for Retail Development", click here!

Making Waves in the Windy City

2011-05-13T16:40:00.000-04:00

Back in February, James Cappleman praised the ability of SeeClickFix to improve accountability and transparency in Chicago during his campaign for alderman of the 46th Ward. This Monday, Cappleman will be sworn into office and SeeClickFix looks forward to seeing how he will use our technology to improve the quality of life for residents in the Windy City. Some municipal officials of Chi-Town, however, have already taken cue from the soon-to-be alderman.

Submitted just one day ago, Issue # 100838 - Water main work but hasn't been worked on in weeks deals with delayed construction on the water main at the Wabash and Cullerton intersection. An anonymous user explained:

They have dug up the road and it is covered with metal plates where the hole is. However, there has been no work done here in several weeks. In addition, there is construction material that has been on the street (it is blocked off by barricades, but it has just been sitting there). Is this work ever going to be finished?

Just one hour ago, Tom LaPorte from the Department of Water Management responded to the citizen's inquiry:

We started a water main job with a couple of test holes, but then learned that the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) was resurfacing a nearby street as part of an unrelated project. Rather than further crowd the neighborhood, we pulled off the job and sent our crew elsewhere until CDOT could finish.

LaPorte mentioned that CDOT's work will be completed soon and then his department can continue working on the water main project. With the project expected to last eight weeks, LaPorte and company will distribute an informational packet and letter to neighbors explaining the situation. He ended his response by apologizing for any confusion and thanking the resident for being understanding.

Another Chicago resident and SeeClickFix user Ali documented the poor road conditions of Wood Street between Division and Wicker Park Ave fourteen days ago (Issue #98125 - Wood Street is a mess). Three days later, Matt Bailey, the director of communications for Alderman Joe Moreno, addressed the situation:

As part of completing the water main installation done on 1200 N. Wood, the street will be resurfaced this month.

With Cappleman starting work soon, we're hoping the city becomes one step closer to utilizing SeeClickFix to connect with the citizens it serves.

Spring Cleaning in SF

2011-05-12T13:55:00.000-04:00

With trainings underway, Let’s Do It SF! will join DPW’s Community Clean Team to clean and green District 11 next weekend. If you're interested in participating, you can sign up here.

CLEAN UP DISTRICT 11

Saturday, May 21

9:00am to Noon

Balboa High School

(1000 Cayuga Avenue, at Onondaga Ave.)

Coffee and lunch will be provided!

Participants will not only help beautify their community, but also connect with neighbors in the process. So, grab your gloves and help this awesome initiative tackle blight in the Bay Area!

Keeping Clean with Smart Phones

2011-05-11T09:47:00.000-04:00

Back in April, we told you about Let's Do It SF! which hopes to tackle the increasing presence of blight in the Bay Area. On Monday, the initiative held its first training session with the Excelsior Action Group in District 11 where it taught volunteers how to use our mobile applications to report and map problems like illegal dumping and graffiti in their communities. Check out some photos from the successful training courtesy of Adriel Hampton.

Cleanup Collaboration in RVA

2011-05-10T18:11:00.000-04:00

Each day, the City of Richmond, Virginia uses SeeClickFix to address issues, improve communities and communicate with citizens about their concerns. However, Richmond's dedication to helping residents isn't just an online effort. Offline, the city is connecting volunteers with resources needed to fix community problems around RVA.

The Clean City Commission (CCC) is lending a helping hand to citizens who are tidying up their communities by providing refuse trucks and workers to assist with volunteer cleanup events. Through the CCC page of the city's website, neighborhood and business associations, as well as informal groups of concerned neighbors can submit requests for a truck and learn more about how to organize their own neighborhood volunteer cleanup event. Groups can receive assistance from the CCC up to four times per year!

The Greater Woodstock Area Civic Association is one group taking advantage of this CCC program for their upcoming Community Cleanup event. On May 21, 2011, the CCC will be providing GWACA with two trash trucks and two workers to help volunteers collect and properly dispose of yard trash, old tires, furniture, appliances, and other bulk items. If you're in the Richmond area and interested in joining the GWACA Community Cleanup event, volunteers will be meeting in the open field at Circlewood Drive and Stockwood Drive at 8:00AM.

SeeClickFix is proud to be working with a city so committed to serving residents and cleaning up communities!

For more information about the Greater Woodstock Area Civic Association, click here!

For more information about the Clean City Commission, including how to launch a CCC volunteer clean up in Richmond, click here!

Empowering Residents with One Click

2011-05-09T18:36:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday, Luis Cotto invited his constituents to start reporting quality of life issues via the SeeClickFix smartphone applications. As minority leader of the Hartford City Council, Cotto believes SeeClickFix serves as a transparent and user-friendly forum in which residents can voice concerns:

311 is great for internal routing of work orders and intragovernmental accountability, but its user interface is somewhat opaque to residents. Using SeeClickFix, residents can see what others have identified as problems and interact to help solve quality of life and infrastructure problems in their neighborhoods. Also, it empowers pedestrians to report problems as they see them in real time. And best of all, this tool is free.

The SeeClickFix team would like to thank Cotto for promoting not only our reporting platform, but also technology as means of placing power back in the hands of citizens!

On the Scene with SubSeries

2011-05-09T11:37:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, SubSeries attended NYC's Festival of Ideas to solicit feedback and suggestions from residents about how to transform the urban landscape of twelve subway stations. The event was not only enjoyable, but also a massive success for the SubSeries team. Check out some photos below!

SubSeries will host its next public event on June 6th at 6:30pm at Columbia University's Studio-X where it will preview its project and host discussions about creating an optimistic future for the public space of those subway stations.

SubSeries: Designing an Optimistic Urban Future

2011-05-06T13:34:00.000-04:00

Hoping to transform the urban landscape of NYC subway stations, SubSeries recently partnered with SeeClickFix to engage public imagination and solicit ideas from local subway riders. Curated by design partnership Baukunst Studio, SubSeries serves as an unsolicited architecture project to redesign the public space of 12 subway stations.

The project brings together over 20 emerging New York-based architects, designers, and artists to address the question: "What are the most optimistic strategies for reforming this network of unclaimed public space?" Throughout the year, SubSeries will host 12 charrettes, or in-depth conversations focused on re-imagining public space, which will result in visual and written documentation translating their visions. SubSeries will not only highlight existing problems, but also "envision a positive urban future that builds upon the existing subway infrastructure."

Through SeeClickFix's platform, SubSeries hopes to collect information and suggestions from NYC residents about how to improve these urban environments. The project opened one 'ticket' for each of the twelve SubSeries subway stations including Grand Central, Columbus Circle, and Harlem 125th Street. By posting comments, users can share what they think should change and suggest their visions for these spaces. If you have an idea to reclaim these public spaces, join the conversation!

To continue sparking public imagination, SubSeries will be attending NYC's Festival of Ideas tomorrow (Saturday, May 7th) from 11am to 7pm with their installation located in Sarah Roosevelt Park between Chrystie and Forsyth, south of Stanton Street. This event will be just one way SubSeries hopes to engage the public. On June 6th, the collaborators will also be hosting an exhibition preview at Columbia University's Studio-X gallery in SoHo with the final exhibition opening in Fall 2011.

We're incredibly excited to see how SubSeries continues to empower NYC citizens to reclaim their urban environment. Follow the project or learn more here.

Biking Every Day in May

2011-05-05T12:10:00.000-04:00

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition

Grab your helmets and start pedaling; National Bike Month just launched across the nation! From reporting road hazards to calling for new bike racks, SeeClickFix users promote the use of bicycling as both transportation and recreation not just in May, but every day.

Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month highlights the benefits of commuting via bicycle not only for individuals, but also for the greater community. Biking promotes an active and healthy lifestyle while simultaneously improving the environment through reducing citizens' carbon footprints, enhancing air quality, and diminishing traffic congestion.

Observing these benefits, citizens everywhere use SeeClickFix to create more bike-friendly neighborhoods. In Philadelphia, one resident called for some local bike lanes to be repainted (Issue #98850- Bike lanes need to be repainted) while one New Haven resident asked for additional bicycle racks (Issue #97181 - Bike rack request). Across the country, an Albuquerque resident raised awareness about some dangerous bike trail pavement that could cause cyclists' crashes (Issue #95578 - Bike trail pavement pulverized no warning signs or detour).

Based in Georgia, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition even utilizes SeeClickFix map widgets to report, monitor, and ultimately help fix road hazards, thereby showing the least hazard-riddled bike routes in nearby neighborhoods. The organization often intercedes on behalf of Atlanta cyclists with complaints and concerns ranging from dangerous potholes to parallel sewer grates (Issue #96238 - bicycle hazards). The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia similarly allows it members to report road hazards through SeeClickFix.

Committed to further spreading this bicycle love, National Bike Month lasts the entire month and features 'Bike to Work Way' from May 16-20 and 'Bike to Work Day' on May 20, and encourages communities nationwide to plan and publicize their own bike-related activities.

Have any exciting Bike Month plans? Send 'em our way via @SeeClickFix!

Fruit for Thought

2011-05-04T17:11:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of CommunitiesTakeRoot

Hoping to revitalize public spaces across the country, CommunitiesTakeRoot recently launched a nation-wide contest that will provide neighborhoods with their very own fruit orchards. Sponsored by Edy's Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, the contest will award twenty communities with fruit tree orchards for places ranging from food banks and public parks to community centers and gardens. The competition launched in mid-April and will consist of four rounds, with the last one ending in late August. After each round, five participants with the highest number of votes will receive orchards.

Right in our hometown, the Friends of Edgewood Park recently decided to use SeeClickFix to raise awareness about its participation in this sweet competition. Viewed over 360 times, Issue #95410 - Vote for a Fruit Trees Orchard in Edgewood Park! hopes to bring over 45 fruit-bearing trees and shrubs to the New Haven park, ranging from apple and sweet cherry to pear and plum. If the Friends of Edgewood Park win, the city will even match the award by planting the same number of fruit trees across the city. With comments ranging from 'awesome' to 'excellent,' residents have responded enthusiastically to this initiative. In fact, one user said he would vote every day.

We must admit we're not surprised this issue has generated such positive feedback. These orchards benefit not only current residents, but also future generations. From growing fresh, nutritious fruit to improving air and water quality, orchards can provide healthier and more vibrant communities for all citizens.

The Crosswalk Conundrum

2011-05-04T13:26:00.000-04:00

If you've walked near the corner of Audubon and Whitney in New Haven this week, you may have noticed a crafty crosswalk appeared in the chaotic intersection. According to The New Haven Independent, a group of well-intentioned citizens spray painted the makeshift pedestrian crossing in an intersection well known for dangerous conditions.

Since SeeClickFix launched in 2008, pedestrians in New Haven have reported their concerns about this particular location. Take a (clearly marked) walk down memory lane and revisit the SeeClickFix history of this infamous intersection.

Issue # 145 - Pedestrian traffic light missing - Posted almost 3 years ago

there really should be a traffic light for pedestrians here. You can count hundreds of people trying to cross the street here at lunchtime on any given day.

The first SeeClickFix issue about this chaotic crossing. The short report was viewed over 500 times with 5 votes to fix.

Issue # 1729 - Unsafe pedestrian crossing - Posted over 2 years ago

I've been risking life and limb for years crossing Whitney Ave at Audubon Street. I need to get across there to an office, so going all the way to the end of the block to a crosswalk isn't viable. In fact I've seen MANY New Haven cops cross here, not to mention families going to CAW, ACES, and NMS. This intersection needs a crosswalk at minimum, an extra stoplight would help, and most of all, NO MORE DOUBLE PARKING on Whitney Ave.

As SeeClickFix continued to grow, so did concerns over the dangerous intersection. With over 2400 views and 23 votes to fix, this issue was the first to become a hub for discussion and information about what the City of New Haven was doing to fix it.

Issue #6884 - Dangerous crossing - Posted almost 2 years ago

Because of the set up between Whitney Ave and Audubon Street, there pedestrians are constantly dashing across Whitney Avenue - frequently while holding small children. We need a crosswalk!

Issue #6884 was officially acknowledged by the City of New Haven around one year ago. The Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking changed the status from open to acknowledged, giving the nearly 40 people who voted some hope that a fix was on it's way.

Issue #54756 - Crosswalk Needed - Posted 8 months ago

A cross-walk is needed before a parent and child or someone gets hit by a vehicle. There is a pre-school, a high school, CAW, New Haven Ballet and more -- all generate plenty of pedestrian crossings at this intersection. It's very dangerous

After 32 votes and 1272 page views, this issue was closed yesterday, accompanied by a picture of the DIY signage. However, SeeClickFix user Pedro was quick to re-open the issue, noting that New Haven would soon be clearing the crafty crosswalk.

The DIY crosswalk at Audubon and Whitney

These developments have reignited the conversation about how to fix this safety concern once and for all. The New Haven Independent reported city officials are well aware of the problem and are working together towards a safe solution. The fight for a crosswalk continues, on the streets and on SeeClickFix!

To read the New Haven Independent article, click here!

To share your ideas about how to fix this intersection, click here!

UPDATED! Spring Cleaning in New Haven

2011-05-04T09:57:00.001-04:00

***UPDATE | MAY 6, 2011***

The May 7th event on the New Haven Green has been postponed. Instead, the two events will be rolled into one Spring Cleaning bonanza to be held Saturday May 14, 2011.

For more information about the scheduling change, or to sign up, please contact Win Davis at the Town Green at (203) 401-4245 ext. 203 or win@downtownnewhaven.com

***

The Town Green District seeks volunteers for two community clean-up efforts during May! Come out to clean up your community, meet your neighbors and help keep New Haven beautiful.

The New Haven Green

Saturday May 7^th from 9am to 1pm.

Volunteers Needed For:

Painting the fence that bounds the lower Green
General clean-up and litter removal
Decorating/painting of all trash receptacles

Union Avenue

Saturday May 14^th from 9am to 1 pm.

Volunteers Needed For:

General litter cleanup
Planting a garden on the overpass embankment
Re-applying directional signage to the sidewalk

Benefits include being an active participant in your community, getting some fresh air and spending some time with your neighbors/friends/significant others/coworkers.

Please let Win Davis at the Town Green know if you can join the effort for either (or BOTH) of these clean ups (so that he knows how much coffee to bring!) Contact Win at (203) 401-4245 ext. 203 or win@downtownnewhaven.com for more information.

Providing the Surface for Change

2011-05-03T11:42:00.000-04:00

Photo courtesy of Dean Sakamoto Architects

Truman Capote once said, "A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue." When he spoke these words, he did not have SeeClickFix in mind--largely because we only launched a few years ago. Still, they ring incredibly true on our public forum. From potholes and parking meters to garbage and graffiti, citizens everywhere can report problems in their communities with SeeClickFix. These people can not only document those existing issues, but also offer solutions to them and even suggest entirely new improvements to the public space.

Hoping to improve cyclists' riding experiences, Dean Sakamoto Architects LLC asked SeeClickFix users what surface would be the best to ride on in New Haven. The firm currently plans to use linear paver in the final stretch of the Farmington Canal Greenway, but wanted cyclist feedback. With close to 300 views, Issue #97622 - Linear Paver Choice for the Farmington Canal Greenway has generated numerous suggestions after being reported just six days ago.

Agreeing with Dean Sakamoto Architects, Brian Tang mentioned that pavers would be ideal since they are more eco-friendly and would help prevent water from pooling on the trail.

Pavers create much less water pollution than asphalt: A) they do not contain petroleum and thus do not leach organic pollutants, sulfur, etc. and B) they allow a certain amount of water to seep into the cracks rather than sweep along the surface, picking up pollutants and carrying them to the Long Island Sound. Stormwater runoff is the #1 source of pollution in the Long Island Sound.

Another user Melissa thought semi-loose paving could work well since it allows for water absorption.

I've cycled on paths with this sort of paving in Britain, where they are using this for environmental reasons and found it worked well. It's also attractive, provides better traction than you'd think, and enables you to hear if someone is approaching from behind.

A few miles away, another New Haven resident hopes SeeClickFix will help improve an underpass on Chapel Street. Located in Wooster Square and reported eleven days ago, Issue ##96744 - Have any cool ideas for improving this underpass? has already received countless suggestions about how to make this underpass an interesting public space. In fact, one user suggested transforming it via community art:

How about a "Gateway to Downtown" or " Gateway to New Haven" mural maybe: depicting the various neighborhoods and highlights, like Wooster Sq., the Green, East Rock, architecture, etc... Or maybe showing New Haven proper on the side of the tunnel towards downtown, and then Fair Haven highlights right next to it, like the river and boating, the Grand Ave bridge, the old mansions & Victorians, people in the neighborhood, historical scenes, like oystering and lobstermen. Many people never drive past the junkyards, thinking there's "nothing" over our way in Fair Haven.

Yet another resident Juli approached the underpass with a more agricultural idea:

What about if neighbors could donate a flower pot or two, and line them up along the inside edge? Plants that don't require a ton of sunlight? It would be cool to have all different shapes and sizes. I think if there was a critical mass of pots, theft would be less likely. Or some of the pots could have pinwheels in them, since its always windy under overpasses. Or we could plant some ivy at the very edges, with the eventuality of it growing to cover some of the grey space. It would take several seasons, but it would spread, as long as we hung something for it to attach to.

Through both issues, New Haven residents demonstrate the power of many voices coming together in one community. We're excited to see how both issues continue to generate constructive dialogue on SeeClickFix!

Guerrilla Gardening 101

2011-05-03T09:27:00.001-04:00

April showers are finally giving way to May flowers. For those lucky enough to have a green thumb, gardening season is here! In-between tending the vegetable garden in your backyard, or the pots of herbs growing near your kitchen window, its sow easy to beautify your community! SeeClickFix users are always reporting issues about overgrown, unkempt, and neglected space in their neighborhoods. With a few gardening supplies, and the help of some of your neighbors, why not turn an urban eyesore into an unexpected oasis?

If you need additional inspiration (or, if you're like me, instructions) to aid your gardening efforts, look no further than Guerrilla Gardening! Started as a record of guerrilla gardener Richard Reynolds' illicit cultivation around London, England, this website is described as an "arsenal for anyone interested in the war against neglect and scarcity of public space as a place to grow things, be they beautiful, tasty (or both!)." Perfect, right? His website is packed with ideas and tips on transforming spaces such as those reported to SeeClickFix.

While my thumb is far from green, I am going to try this technique right here in New Haven. If any local SeeClickFixers have any gardening tips or know a place that could use a pick-me-up, let me know! Tweet us at @seeclickfix or leave a comment right here.

SeeClickFix and NewGov Announce Strategic Partnership

2011-05-02T11:16:00.001-04:00

SeeClickFix to Share Map Widget Technology With Social Voting Start-Up

New York (May 2, 2011) – The Independence Year Foundation today announced their strategic partnership with citizen reporting platform SeeClickFix. NewGov will deploy SeeClickFix technology, featuring map widgets displaying non-emergency public issues in all 435 congressional districts represented on the site. The partnership will allow voters within each district to easily identify issues reported by constituents while interacting with local policy development groups.

NewGov is an open, free public utility for American voters to discover each other within their congressional district and collaborate as members of their congressperson's Policy Development Group (PDG). SeeClickFix offers voters and all levels of government a transparent means of reporting, tracking and resolving non-emergency issues within the public space. NewGov's partnership with SeeClickFix will benefit members and PDGs focused on fixing issues pertaining to transportation and infrastructure within their congressional district.

SeeClickFix will be providing NewGov with map widgets for all 435 Congressional Districts in United States. Embedded on each PDG page on NewGov.us, the widgets will display issues and their exact locations in real time as constituents report them through the SeeClickFix platform. Once issues are identified, NewGov members who have become SuperVoters can use their amplified influence with local representatives to help advocate for issues to be fixed.

“We hope our partnership with NewGov helps to further our shared goal of promoting transparency and accountability in government.” said Ben Berkowitz, CEO and co-founder of SeeClickFix. “It’s exciting to imagine how citizens will unite and advocate for the resolution of community issues within their district using our technology on the NewGov site.”

NewGov links voters to their representatives in Policy Development Groups where they can communicate their positions on issues and coach their congressperson on how to represent them. NewGov has provisioned PDGs for every US state, senate seat and congressional district. NewGov members can also create and join groups to advocate for causes and issues they strongly support.

"Thanks to our partnership with SeeClickFix, the map on each district's home page will be the SeeClickFix map of that district. We're excited that NewGov PDG members will be able to use these widgets to track and discuss issues in their district reported through the SeeClickFix system.” said Britt Blaser, Director of the Independence Year Foundation. “This means that NewGov Policy Development Group members can respond to and follow up on voter-submitted issues as systematically as a governmental agency might. Assuming, of course, that the agency is sophisticated enough to see the value of the SeeClickFix suite of issue-discovery and followup services."

Through its privacy-protected, transaction-based “SuperVoter” service, NewGov can certify to congresspeople that communications are from real constituents. As SuperVoters form into cause-based blocs, their influence in their congressional district increases. Using the principle of Social Voting, NewGov aims to empower and excite the electorate through increased communication and interaction through technology.

The technology provided by SeeClickFix will enable NewGov members to collaborate and fix problems together, or to influence their government to take action. NewGov's hosting partner is Acquia Inc., the enterprise guide to the Drupal social publishing platform, which powers 2% of the world's websites. Acquia's continuing support means that America's voters can be confident that NewGov.US enjoys the same enterprise-grade resources as whitehouse.gov and Acquia's 700 other customers.

For more information about SeeClickFix, please visit www.seeclickfix.com. For more information about NewGov please visit www.newgov.us.

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, Facebook, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps, the SeeClickFix platform is the most widely-distributed citizen reporting tool in the country. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. Over 40 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information, or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.

About NewGov
NewGov links voters to their representatives in Policy Development Groups (PDGs) where they can communicate their positions on issues, and coach their representatives on how to represent them. NewGov has provisioned PDGs for every US state, senate seat and congressional district. NewGov members can also create and join groups to advocate for causes and issues they strongly support. Through its privacy-protected, transaction-based “SuperVoter” service, NewGov can certify to congresspeople that communications are from real constituents. As SuperVoters form into cause-based blocs, their influence in their congressional district increases. Using the principle of Social Voting, NewGov aims to empower and excite the electorate through increased communication and interaction through technology. www.NewGov.us