Have you ever traveled around Macon, seen something in need of service or repair and wondered if you were the only one wishing someone would come and fix it? Thanks to the designers of the app SeeClickFix, reporting non-emergency issues in your local neighborhood is more simple.
SeeClickFix is an app that allows community members in cities around the country to report local, non-emergency issues that they feel ought to be addressed by the appropriate office in their government. Such issues may vary.
Users can report items ranging from public safety, such as storm debris and broken or missing traffic signs, to public image, such as dilapidated buildings or dirty alleyways.
In addition to a verbal description, users have the option of adding a photo and a GPS location. Once an issue as been submitted, it is visible to all users of the app, who are then able to vote on the issues they consider most important.
For Macon, SeeClickFix is a relatively new undertaking, and one that is still evolving. The app was implemented by the city in April 2012. Since then, there have been 1,759 reports in and around Macon.
Chris Floore, director of public affairs for Mayor Robert Reichert’s office, helps oversee the app alongside Customer Service Representative Denise Mercer. From the city’s perspective, Floore said, SeeClickFix is an ideal platform to actively engage and communicate with community members while simultaneously “increasing and improving transparency in government.”
Users who report issues to the Macon government using SeeClickFix are able to track its progress, vote for other issues to be fixed sooner and comment on nearby issues in the neighborhood around them. All reports submitted to the Public Works and Central Services Departments can be tracked to see how quickly they are being addressed. To that end, Floore said, the city tries to address reports chronologically as they are submitted.
Certain issues however, such as public safety, are often automatically prioritized. “One evening,” he said, “we received a report through SeeClickFix ... that a stop sign had fallen over. It was fixed the next morning.”
In fact, community members can often expect a prompt response to requests made through the platform. “We try to have a fix within 10-15 days. If it looks as if it will take longer, you are to receive a notification with the reason for the delay,” said Floore.
Ultimately, the city hopes spread knowledge and use of the app to as many people as possible. Not only does the app allow for a direct way for locals and students to express their concerns, “it provides another avenue of communication so we can determine how best to use (city) resources and services,” Floore said.
Should a student wish to contribute to community improvement, the SeeClickFix app is a great place to start. Speaking about student involvement through the app, Floore said, “If we can increase the amount of eyes finding issues needing a fix, we can increase the amount of improvements made.”
Students wishing to take a more active role can look into local volunteer organizations, like Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful and Main Street Macon, for neighborhood cleanups. SeeClickFix is available for free across all major platforms, including Apple’s App Store, Android’s Google Play, Windows Phone Marketplace and the Blackberry World store. In addition, SeeClickFix reports can be made through its Facebook app, SeeClickFix.com or the City of Macon website.
