SeeClickFix

Original Post, 5/7/08: Anyone who has used SeeClickFix so far knows what an excellent and fun resource it can be. So to make things easy for readers to become citizen advocates, we've included a SeeClickFix widget on the left-hand bar of Design New Haven. Enjoy!

A Quicker Fixer Upper (Downtown New Haven Tea Leaves, Early May 2008)

Ever wondered who’s responsible for fixing potholes, replacing blown out street lights and cleaning graffiti? Well, there’s a huge network of organizations (including the Town Green District) working together to take care of all sorts of issues throughout the city, but now there’s a way you can help them (and us) do the job more efficiently. It’s as simple as SeeClickFix!

Elm City locals Jeff Blasius, Ben Berkowitz, Kam Lasater and Miles Lasater launched SeeClickFix as way to use the power of the internet to keep New Haven clean, vibrant and beautiful. With SeeClickFix, concerned citizens, merchants’ associations, Aldermen or utility companies are alerted to concerns or requests for service. The website’s map based interface makes it easy for anyone to pinpoint a location and identify an issue. Here’s how it works:

See: See a non-emergency issue in your neighborhood.

Click: Go to www.seeclickfix.com, click on the map, open a ticket and describe the issue. Each ticket generates an email to a "Fixer," someone involved with solving issues in that area. All tickets regarding graffiti in Downtown are addressed by the Town Green District’s Clean Team.

Fix: Click save on your ticket and the issue is reported for a more timely resolution. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Want to be an even bigger help? Sign up to be a SideClick and you can help spread the word, work with Fixers, and provide feedback.
SeeClick Fix: Open your eyes, raise your voice, click your ticket!

The article above is courtesy of the Town Green Special Services District's monthly Tea Leaves newsletter. The Town Green District is the business improvement district (BID) for Downtown New Haven and one of the preeminent BIDs in the Northeast. In addition to running a variety of programs that keep Downtown clean and safe, the Town Green has been hosting the monthly Wine Dine Design series as part of its 10th anniversary celebration. Visit InfoNewHaven for details.

Update 6/26/08: New press coverage of SeeClickFix discusses how the Mayor of New Haven, John DeStefano, is interested in the technology and its possible integration with city services.