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St. Charles, IL Launches “St. Charles Connect” Mobile Citizen Service Request App
Apr 2nd
The city of St. Charles launched a new Smartphone application which allows citizens to identify and report non-emergency civic issues, such as public works, quality of life, and environmental issues. This mobile reporting platform will improve how St. Charles delivers services to its neighborhoods.
“St. Charles Connect” allows a user to capture a photo, video, or audio of the problem. The user then uploads the media and, along with GPS location information pulled directly from the device, submits a report directly to the appropriate department. Once a report is submitted, feedback is provided to the user based on the action taken by the department handling the report.
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Smartphones Keeping LAUSD Schools in Tip Top Shape
Sep 24th
With 8 in 10 school districts in the U.S. inadequately funded for the coming year, districts need to do more with less. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second largest school district in the US, spanning 14,000 buildings and spread over 710 square miles. They receive more than 300,000 maintenance service requests per year, making up-keeping one of the main areas where too much time, money and energy is spent. Often times, all resources are going into locating and reporting a problem before even fixing it.
Now with IBM’s analytic s technology and the CitySourced mobile app, students along with faculty and staff can act as sensors reporting maintenance problems they see first hand using their mobile devices. Issues such as leaky faucets, smashed windows, graffiti, broken toilets and more are now being reported along with the correct location of the issues.
All reporting issues sent with a simple text or photo goes directly to the school’s maintenance office. Each request also contains GIS information to pinpoint locations so workers know exactly where to route staff, saving time and resources. Within the first 8 months of launching, the school system cut its maintenance request processing expenses by 80%.
For the full article click here.
Redlands 311 Selected For Two Prestigious Helen Putnam Awards
Sep 17th
The California Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding achievements by California’s 482 cities. Redlands, CA was selected for the Award for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation for its Redlands 311 smartphone application. The City also received the Ruth Vreeland Award for engaging youth in city Government for the Redlands Emergency Services Academy. Redlands 311, developed by CitySourced, was among several initiatives the City of Redlands undertook as City leaders worked to overcome deep budget cuts and personnel reductions in the wake of the national economic downturn. Redlands 311 allowed city staff to engage the community in addressing residents concerns while directing limited public resources in a highly targeted fashion.
The app is free for resident to download and install and is available on various platforms including the iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone. Users are able to record images, video and audio of issues such as potholes or graffiti, add a message and send it directly to City personnel. The application uses geo-tagging technology to automatically provide the problems location, simplifying the reporting process for users.
Using Redlands 311, smartphone users can report problems including:
- Abandoned bikes, vehicles and shopping carts
- Loose, dead or biting animals
- Graffiti
- Potholes
- Flooding
- Homeless encampments or nuisances
- Illegal dumping
- Illegal fires
- Illegal signs
- Parking violations
- Overgrown or problem trees and plants
- Roadway or sidewalk dangers
- Non- working streetlights
- Polluting vehicles
This is the second award for the Redlands 311 app. In May the Center for Digital Government selected Redlands for its 2012 Best of California award for Best Application Serving the Public. Award winners are recognized at the League of California Cities Annual Conference, in Western City magazine, and on the Leagues website at http://www.cacities.org/Top/Partners/Helen-Putnam-Awards.aspx.
For full article click here.
Holland, MI Launches “Citizen’s App” Mobile Citizen Service Request App
Sep 10th
The City of Holland launched a new Smartphone application which allows citizens to identify and report non-emergency civic issues, such as public works, quality of life, and environmental issues. This mobile reporting platform will improve how delivers services to its neighborhoods.
“Citizen’s App” allows a user to capture a photo, video, or audio of the problem. The user then uploads the media and, along with GPS location information pulled directly from the device, submits a report directly to the appropriate department. Once a report is submitted, feedback is provided to the user based on the action taken by the department handling the report.
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7 Mobile App Development Tips for Local Governments
Sep 5th
Since CitySourced has partnered with the City of Redlands, 65% of its citizen complaints are received through the mobile app. Philip Mielke, interim CIO of Redlands, CA said that the mobile App has simplified the complaint process.
Here are some tips for local governments looking to build an official mobile app. Two IT experts from Redlands, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, CA give some great advice.
1. Keep it simple
Don’t overdo it. The app should mean one thing when you publicize it. Multiple functions may require a separate app or system.
2. Be open to ideas
Engage other departments in the design and functionality of the app.
3. Know your audience
The Internet is accessed more frequently via mobile solutions by people below the poverty line (due to the low initial price point). You’re involving a new group and need to plan your outreach accordingly.
4. Make it relevant
Know what functions and issues are of concern to the community and make your app more than just a problem reporting program.
5. Location, location, location
If your app doesn’t have a spatial component to it and you don’t have an ability to extract GIS information from the app, you’re more than missing the boat — you don’t know where the water is.
6. Data integration
Make sure the mobile app can feed into your existing work order or dispatch systems. You don’t want to waste staff time trying to bridge systems
7. Cross-platform support
Don’t leave two-thirds of your public unable to interact with their local government easily because you decide to only develop on one platform.
Go to the full GovTech article here.
Omaha, NE Mayor Suttle Unveils ‘Omaha Mobile App’ to Residents
Aug 16th
Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle hosted “Download Day” for the new Omaha Mobile App (OMA), a smart phone application that allows users to snap and submit photos of graffiti, dumping, and other problems to the City of Omaha. The app was launched at a press conference this morning at Essex Park.
Mayor Jim Suttle uses the new "Omaha Mobile App" on his iPhone to take a photo of graffiti on a piece of equipment in Essex Park in South Omaha. Photo: City of Omaha
I have been committed to using innovation and technology to decrease costs, increase efficiency, and provide citizens with greater access to their government. Today we have taken technology a step further, offering Omaha residents a free mobile application for smart phones that makes it possible to report problems or request city services in a matter of seconds. - Mayor Jim Suttle
Peoria, AZ Launches ‘Civic Reporter’ App
Jul 14th
The city of Peoria launched a new Smartphone application which allows citizens to identify and report non-emergency civic issues, such as public works, quality of life, and environmental issues. This mobile reporting platform will improve how Peoria delivers services to its neighborhoods.
PeoriaAz Civic Reporter allows a user to capture a photo, video, or audio of the problem. The user then uploads the media and, along with GPS location information pulled directly from the device, submits a report directly to the city’s appropriate department. Once a report is submitted, feedback is provided to the user based on the action taken by the department handling the report.
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Marana, AZ Launches ‘My Marana” Mobile Citizen Service Request App
Jun 12th
The Town of Marana, AZ is excited to announce the launch of its first mobile application with the new ‘My Marana” app. This free app, developed by CitySourced, allows residents to issues, such as abandoned bicycles and vehicles, damaged signs, graffiti, illegal dumping and potholes. Issues can be reported using photos, video, or audio.
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Cedar Park Launches “CP Connect” Mobile Citizen Service Request App
Jun 5th
Cedar Park, Texas launched a new Smartphone application which allows citizens to identify and report non-emergency civic issues, such as public works, quality of life, and environmental issues. This mobile reporting platform will improve how Cedar Park delivers services to its neighborhoods.
“CP Connect” allows a user to capture a photo, video, or audio of the problem. The user then uploads the media and, along with GPS location information pulled directly from the device, submits a report directly to the appropriate department. Once a report is submitted, feedback is provided to the user based on the action taken by the department handling the report.
Columbia County, GA Unveils “Citizen Reporter” on ABC News
Jun 2nd
ABC News affiliate in Augusta, Georgia sat down with Columbia County, GA team to learn more about the “Citizen Reporter” app. WJBF News Channel 6′s Archith Seshadri reports. This video shows the app in action.