More SeeClickFix Successes in DC
Submitted by David Daddio on December 18, 20096 Comments
It has been fascinating experimenting with SeeClickFix over the past three months. While initially skeptical of the tool that claims to combine civic engagement, online social networking, and local politicos to fix real world problems, I’ve been amazed at the effectiveness of this site. SeeClickFix has allowed me to create noticeable changes in my own Adams Morgan Neighborhood including:
- Fixing a dangerous pedestrian crossing at 18th St/Florida/U St by installing signage.
- DDOT Director Klein, Councilmember Graham and ANC Commissioner Wilson Reynolds responded
- Fixing (trimming) overgrown bushes at the Marie Reed Community Center that had become a haven for criminals
- ANC Commissioner Stacey Moye responded and CCed DC’s Urban Forestry Administration and Department of Parks and Recreation
- Fixing (re-erecting) a no parking sign that had been knocked down after a tree was removed on my block
- Councilmember Graham, DDOT’s Aaron Rhones and James Burney responded
- Councilmember Graham, DDOT’s Aaron Rhones and James Burney responded
SeeClickFix really is more responsive government at your fingertips!
Aaron Brazell
Rhys Thom
Ethan Arpi
robyn liska
helena cobban
Dario Hidalgo
Laura Root
Erica Schlaikjer
clayton lane
noah kazis
Alex Pazuchanics
Neela Pal
Patricio Chile
Nate Baird
Megan McConville
David Daddio
Allison Bishins
Kwame Brown
how is this an improvement / comparison to just entering an issue directly at http://311.dc.gov — that strikes me as a lot quicker.
is it because its publicly shared?
this might be a great resource for jurisdictions without online service requests, but i’m not convinced…
brings political pressure to an issue in a way that that site does not. also allows community dialogue.
i’m all for community pressure and it can be a great tool.
but it appears these tools would need to be used together to be effective. it does no good for me to complain about a broken streetlight without telling the people who are in charge of fixing the broken streetlight. does see.click.fix. offer this connection? if not, now governments needs to be watching all these 3rd party websites?
when folks in DC go to a councilmember’s office to request a repair – as in one of your examples – the CM’s office contacts the appropriate agency > the agency submits a service request to schedule the work > the work gets done > CM shares with you work was done.
this is the same process if someone had just submitted a service request directly online or by calling 311 – its just LONGER. sometimes the request from the CM’s office comes with some extra “squeaking of the wheel”
all that said, i like how you can share a set of issue and highlight them. i’m just recommending that people make use of good systems which are already in place as well.
this contacts the same people at 311. basic issues don’t need to involve a CM like fallen street signs and broken parking meters. many issues though rise above low level bureaucrats. If you look at the comment stream on the first issue above, you’ll see that there were multiple back and forths to try to work out a solution.
SeeClickFix is often more effective than 311, for the following reasons:
1) SCF allows for ongoing collaboration between government, citizens, media and other parties (e.g., advocacy groups or neighborhood associations).
2) SCF allows communities to address complex issues over a long-term period. Often issues get reported and don’t get “fixed” for a year or two. Over that time, 311 tickets can get lost unless multiple people are collaborating on a solution.
3) In addition, sometimes the solution to a community issue is not immediately obvious. For example, one could report a crime problem on the website – a short term solution might be a police stakeout, but a solution involving CPTED might need to be worked out by neighbors and governments over a period of several years.
4) As an independent entity, SCF holds government accountable in a way that a 311 system may not.
5) SCF’s technology, cross-networking, display, alert and search functions are far more advanced than those of most 311 systems. Only a handful of cities have upgraded their 311 technology beyond the simple “black box” concept – and since there are hundreds of thousands of governments in the United States, an application that can be applied to every city is needed.
As 311 systems evolve, community applications like SCF will certainly have more competition. There may be room for both types of systems.
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