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Code enforcement enlists smartphone users [Kilgore News Herald, Texas](Kilgore News Herald (TX) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 01--The to-do list for City Hall's Code Enforcement personnel could grow exponentially in coming weeks and months. Let it, B.J. Owen says. That's why the City of Kilgore invested in its new MyKilgore smartphone app -- to enlist residents to pinpoint code violations and prioritize repairs. "I don't care if the list is as big as this wall," Owen said, residents can help tag problems and focus efforts: "We need to know." Updating Kilgore City Council members on the last Code Enforcement developments Tuesday night, Kilgore's special services superintendent provided a broad description of the new smartphone app, customized by City- Source, Inc. Free to download and use, the program is available on both Apple and Android devices, Owen said. Get it now and launch it when the need arises. Perhaps some trash cans have been left out at the curb too long, he suggested. Maybe an old tire is creating a mosquito haven. "Take a picture of it, submit it to our computer database and it immediately sends an e-mail to the appropriate department. It geo-codes it and sends it to us," Owen explained. "We want folks to get out there and use this MyKilgore app." The app enables a user to 'Create New Request' and view a dynamic list of 'My Requests.' Likewise, clicking on 'Nearby Requests' allows a resident to monitor all the to-dos generated by the app, whether they've been addressed, are in progress or are awaiting attention. As of Friday morning, 11 "requests" were on the MyKilgore map: some were left over from the app's beta-testing, but recent submissions included a broken bench downtown (repairs in progress), three potholes, graffiti on City Park's skateboard ramps, a questionable utility cut, grass growing over a curb and a problematic meter box. "My meter box sets 8-10 inches below grade," the user reported. "It is a hazard for mowing or just walking in the yard." Reported violations can immediately be categorized as Animal Control, Brush Pickup, Bulky Item Pickup, Drainage/Flooding, Graffiti, High Grass/Weeds, Illegal Burning, Illegal Dumping, Illegal Sign, Mosquito Complaint, Parks & Cemeteries Maintenance, Pothole, Roadway Cleaning, Roadway Danger, Sewer Blockage, Sewer Leak, Sidewalk Broken/Cracking, Street Light, Street Sign, Substandard Building, Traffic Signal, Trash Can in Street, Tree Issues or Water Leak. Multiple "Other" categories capture miscellaneous complaints or direct them to a specific department: Animal Control, Code Enforcement, Streets and Utilities. The app enables city employees to immediately access the details of a problem as reported by the person affected, Owen said. The app automatically creates a digital paper trail for more accountability -- be it on City Hall's side checking whether employees are making the necessary repairs or on a resident who is responsible for the apparent violation. "One of the things we talked about in our task force is removing a little bit of the undocumentable communications," he said. "In other words, telephone calls -- if we do a written notification that says exactly what is expected by ordinance ... we'll move faster. We'll get faster resolution. "They're going to get a notification in a letter. you'll be able to know the difference between a citation, a warning or a notification ... Don't panic if you get the notification -- it's just something that we need a correction on." The MyKilgore app is one of the first new Code Enforcement projects since council members appointed their code task force this fall. "They were instrumental in helping us put this together," Owen praised. "Who knows what we're going to have as we put these plans together? "Good luck, and let's make Kilgore beautiful." ___ (c)2014 the Kilgore News Herald (Kilgore, Texas) Visit the Kilgore News Herald (Kilgore, Texas) at www.kilgorenewsherald.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |