Ever wonder what your neighbors think about that pothole at your intersection? Worried that you're not tuned in with the latest community concerns? Fear not, SeeClickFixers! Our watch area feature allows you to stay connected with your neighbors while giving you real time updates about local issues, with just a few clicks.






Let's say you're a SeeClickFix user living in New Haven and want to receive updates about what is being reported right outside your door.

You would first log in and then click on "Watch Areas" at the top of your issues list.

Here you will see a list of watch areas in and around your community. These watch areas are created by community groups, neighborhood associations, or by concerned citizens like yourself.

Select a watch area from the list on the right and it will appear on the map. Click "Details" to see what is being reported in this area.


The community page for the selected watch area is where users can view a map of the area, see a list of issues reported within the watch area boundaries, see the status of area issues and read a description about the watch area.

Get excited! You're one click away from getting notifications about what's happening in your neighborhood! Click the "Watch Area Followers" tab, circled at left.





Simply put your name and email address in the fields and join others in following your community on SeeClickFix! Whenever an issue is reported within the watch area you're now subscribed to, we will send you an email alert to tell you about it. 








So whether you need to know what's happening in your neighborhood, want to stay in tune with issues related to a cause you care about, or are just curious about your neighbors concerns, following a watch area is a great way to get real time information about your community.

President John F. Kennedy stated in his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Though times have changed significantly, these lasting words continue to resonate for many Americans today.

Our involvement in communities is one way of answering the challenge of what we can do our country. Reporting of issues that affect our local communities, the organizing of groups and events, and generally being a steward of our local communities can positively affect the community as a whole. The question of how to even get involved--and finding time to do so--has been traditionally challenging.

Hyperlocal websites like SeeClickFix.com have enabled efficient community involvement through their technologies. They have opened new communication channels to local government officials and to the community. Ease of use, anonymity (when needed), and 24x7 posting availability are just some of the advantages of using hyperlocal websites to report local community issues or events. Posting of issues and events in real time--and making it available for the public to view, comment, and organize--changes the dynamics of how we interact within our communities. The days of mailing letters to your local representatives and organizing events via flyers are limited.

Hyperlocal websites and the technologies they utilize enable us to become more active in our community with the click of a mouse. The outstanding question around hyperlocal websites remains: is it enough for us to become involved in our communities? Please take a minute to address this question in the following  survey on hyperlocal websites and community involvement!

Both the Meriden Record-Journal and WFSB Eyewitness News are talking about the latest community turning to SeeClickFix this pothole season. Meriden, CT has 189 miles of roadway, along which over 700 potholes are patched each year.  Residents of the community can easily point out a long list of pothole plagued roads to avoid, helping to inform both drivers and city officials about the dangerous conditions.

Meriden has started using SeeClickFix to address residents concerns and smooth the streets, encouraging everyone to report issues such as potholes using our website and mobile apps.  Bob Bass from the Meriden Department of Public Works, featured on a WFSB Eyewitness News segment about their road repair efforts, explained to viewers the benefit of using SeeClickFix.

"It gives them another opportunity to get a hold of us," said Bob Bass, of the Department of Public Works. "Instead of picking up the phone if you see something, with your smartphone you can send something through your smartphone, or you could still call us, but it works out very well."

As is the case in most communities, the city will be repairing potholes according to priority.  Users in Meriden can use SeeClickFix to advocate for the areas they believe are most in need. By commenting on and voting for their neighbors issue, and encouraging others to do the same, residents can ensure their priorities are the city's priorities.

We're thrilled to see another example of how citizens and their city can communicate and collaborate to solve problems and improve their community with SeeClickFix!

Jason Sznol had been freelancing for SeeClickFix starting in early February. We quickly grew to appreciate his mobile skills and collaborative personality and offered Jason a full-time gig as our lead mobile developer a few weeks ago. We've been super excited to add Jason to the team and we all wanted to offer a welcome and thank you for the much anticipated Android app that was released today.

Jason will be working to further improve the app experience for SeeClickFix including a major update to the blackberry application to be released next quarter.

Welcome to the team Sznol!

Over the last few months, we've received tons of feedback from users about our previously-existing Android app and believe the new one will directly address those problems and concerns. Now available in the Android Market, the new app will have features almost identical to our latest iPhone app. These features include:

1. Posting from an already-existing account or registering a new account
2. Simplified actions: vote, comment, flag and close issues directly from your phone
3. Attaching images from camera or phone gallery to issues, comments, and closes
4. Reporting issues off-line and then submitting them once you get service
5. Full integration with SF311, DC311, and New Haven's Cityworks system
6. Searching and filtering issues on the map with keywords 
7. Manually setting the location (either by using the map or inputting an address) for issues outside the current location
8. Custom branding for SeeClickFix Plus and Connect clients
9. Improved appearance, faster speed, and greater stability 

We really love feedback from our users and would appreciate if you rated the app in the Android Market honestly. Help us help you!

Though I may avoid the bean, coffee smells like freshly ground heaven to most people around the SeeClickFix office. With the help of the Newbold Neighbors Association, our relationship with coffee will be getting a bit stronger.

Based in Philadelphia, the Newbold Neighbors Association just launched its very own SeeClickFix contest hoping to stir the pot and wake up the local government. Lasting until May 30th, residents can espresso their concerns through several means from the Newbold widget and SeeClickFix main site to the SeeClickFix mobile site and smartphone apps. Not tech-savvy? Don't fret; you can even call 877-853-1552 to submit issues brewing in the area.

With coffee being offered as the prize, Newbold residents should grab their mugs and start grinding away in their neighborhood. When May ends, two $25 Ultimo Coffee gift cards will be awarded: one for the person with the most submissions, and the other for someone randomly selected who submits four or more issues. According to the Newbold Neighbors Association, there are two ways to have issues count for you: submitting them under your designated SeeClickFix account OR emailing the town watch whenever you submit an issue (if you want to report concerns anonymously).

For Newbold residents, the best part of waking up may soon be seeing their issues fixed. From concerns (like potholes and litter) to suggestions (like planted trees and community murals), you can report issues whatever flavor you choose!

(SeeClickFix widget Oisin Ó hAlmhain's campaign website)

From the 'Hoosier State' of Indiana to the Emerald Isle of Ireland, SeeClickFix continues to appear on campaign trails across the globe.

Having grown up in South Bend, Marcus Ellison believes he should give back to the community that has given so much to him by running for the city's Common Council. As a District 4 Representative, he hopes to create an environment where anything can be made possible through 'education, community, family, and faith.'

Recently, South Bend found itself on Newsweek's list of America's Dying Cities. According to Ellison, this image of South Bend contrasts greatly with the one he remembers and wants to grow: the South Bend known for its outstanding civic engagement.

Let's stop the same old politics as usual. We need new individuals who are committed to new ideas. If we are going to build a 21st Century City, then let's stop using yesterday's materials.

This is where SeeClickFix comes into play. South Bend residents can report problems in real-time complete with specific location, image, and description of neighborhood issues. With our cost-effective online and mobile tools, Ellison believes citizens can easily communicate neighborhood issues to their city officials. Concurrently, SeeClickFix increases transparency and accountability of local government officials by broadcasting concerns on our public forum.

We have neighborhoods that are waiting for a voice. We have communities in need of leadership. We have a city pleading for change. When I look in my daughter's eyes, I know we will recover. There may be two South Bends, but I choose the South Bend that is the All-American City. I truly believe that we can get there one day. We are all in this together and we must all work together to make this vision come true. 

Thousands of miles away, one Irish resident hopes to utilize SeeClickFix as means of identifying and addressing citizens' concerns. Running for Dublin South Central of the Irish Parliament, Oisin Ó hAlmhain came across SeeClickFix after reading Jared Duval's Next Generation Democracy. With our open-source software, governments can start tracking and responding to community issues with just one click. HAlmhain emphasized how our site can also allow citizens to tackle problems themselves.

For example, it there is a littering problem, a community may spot it and organise a clean-up. The system is transparent, so you can see other people's comments, sometimes suggesting ways of sorting your problem out. 

HAlmhain even sent a letter petitioning the use of SeeClickFix to Phil Hogan, Ireland's Minister for the Environment, Community, and Local Government. We look forward to seeing how hAlmhain and Ellison continue to utilize our technology on the campaign trail!

Interested in being updated about these candidates? Follow the campaigns of Ellison and hAlmhain, respectively.