The residents of Detroit are a happy lot thanks to the Mayor’s app that has helped resolve more than 10,000 problems in just six months. Launched by the Mayor and his administration on April 8, the Improve Detroit app was primarily meant to streamline the efficiency and accessibility of the city’s government to its people.
The app that is downloadable for free in all Smartphones running on Android and iOS platforms enables its users to report problems that need the government’s attention as well as share photos of the issue. It also allows them to get notifications in case of any update on the reported problem.
The app has been downloaded more than 6,500 times since its launch. City officials say Improve Detroit has helped sort a variety of issues including clearing more than 3,000 illegal dumpsites, filling 2,092 potholes, towing 565 abandoned vehicles and repairing 506 broken water pipes. Also, through the app, water running into 991 abandoned structures has been shut and 227 broken traffic lights fixed.
Due to reliability and efficiency of the app, the government says it has only taken an average of nine days to have issues fixed from the day of reporting. For the residents who for one reason or the other cannot report issues through their Smartphones, there is an online form that can be accessed through laptops and home computers.
This is not the first initiative Mayor Duggan has taken to improve service delivery since he took office. During his time, two other apps have been launched, Detroit Police Connect and the DDOT Bus.
Detroit Police Connect is an app that is designed to give its users up to the minute updates on what’s happening in the Detroit Police Department. The app also allows the users to give the police department anonymous tips to the police department while getting helpful tips from the police in return. The DDOT Bus app provides real-time location and movement as well as arrival time information for buses at their specific bus stops.
Detroit takes pride as being among the first cities to embrace the use of apps in a bid to enhance the lives of its residents. Duggan says that the use of apps in Detroit ushers a new era of customer service and accountability in the city’s government. Other cities that are warming up to the idea of using apps to improve connections with residents include California. City officials in Woodland, California recently launched an app known as myWoodland that allows residents to submit, keep track and view local service upon request.