How many potholes do you hit on your way to work? Now how many times do you think to yourself, when are they ever going to fix that? Here's your chance to do something about it. Meet SeeClickFix.
SeeClickFix is like 311–for everywhere. It's as simple as it sounds. “See” a non-emergency issue in your neighborhood that you want fixed? Use the site to “click” and report the issue publicly. After reporting the issue users on the site then crowdsource a “fix,” unless the local government or a neighborhood organization takes responsibility for it.
But the team at SeeClickFix have gone above and beyond, offering tools for not just motivated citizens, but also neighborhood organizations, local governments, and the media.
Various organizations can watch a specific area for issues and keep group members aware of any activity in that area. Local governments can use “free tools for governing” that allow them to monitor alerts in their area, speak directly to concerned citizens, and even integrate social media in their efforts. Finally, SeeClickFix offers tools for media that allow them to “build conversation around community issues” and catch community issues as they're reported.
The best part? All this can be done on the go–they have mobile apps for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android.
As you report, comment, and participate on SeeClickFix, you earn “civic points” that measure your engagement in your community. In addition, all data on the site is available in open formats, and text and map widgets are available to embed on websites or blogs.
SeeClickFix has a lot to offer, and they're ambitious with their goals. As they say on their website: “We know that there are already a lot of involved citizens and hard-working local authorities out there. We seek to use the power of the internet to bring them closer together and make our neighborhoods better places to live and work.”
SeeClickFix was founded by Ben Berkwitz, Miles Lasater, Kam Lasater, and Jeff Blasius in 2008 and is a showcased startup demoing at TECH cocktail DC on June 17th during Digital Capital Week in Washington, D.C.
Editor's Note: Alex Priest is a senior studying marketing and communications at American University. He has a passion for social media, technology, politics, design, cycling, social good and more. He's currently interning in marketing for the Consumer Electronics Association, and is the Social Media Director for the new institute for technology and social change, TechChange. Be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his personal blog.