Spartanburg Unveils New App for Residents to Report Non-Emergency Problems
Residents of Spartanburg, South Carolina now have an innovative way of reporting non-emergency issues within their city. The “My Spartanburg” app, recently launched by the City of Spartanburg, allows citizens to report public work issues conveniently.
Report, Track and Follow Local Issues
Whether it’s a broken sidewalk, damaged sign, or an overgrown vacant lot, residents can report these and other city-related issues directly to the city employees responsible for resolving them. All they have to do is take a picture, write a quick description, and send the report via the app.
According to the City’s Communication Manager, Christopher George, “the app enables residents and even visitors in the city to report service issues they may come across. The issues are directly routed to the specific department in charge of handling such issues. This allows the city maintenance team to not only see the problem but also to promptly address it.”
Interactive City Map
Besides reporting issues, the app enables one to view other requests that people have made. The interactive map on the app shows all the reported issues in an area, allowing residents to check if someone else has already reported an issue they wanted to report. If someone has already highlighted the issue, they can follow its progress until it is resolved.
Making Use of Technology for Civic Participation
Results have already begun to show with dozens of requests already fulfilled through the app. The “My Spartanburg” app benefits the community by increasing resident participation in maintaining their city. It also adds a level of transparency by allowing users to track the progress of their reported issues and confirm when they’ve been resolved.
Availability and Usability
The “My Spartanburg” app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play, free of charge. Emphasizing on the app’s efficiency, George said, “a lot of folks are realizing that it is more beneficial than picking up the phone to report an issue. Not only can you report the problem, but you can also track its progress until it is resolved.”
Reporting issues using the app translates to efficiency, as the city’s response teams are promptly alerted of problems in their spheres of influence; this results in quicker resolution times. Thus far, the app has proven successful, with most reported issues being resolved within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the problem.
This innovation aligns with modern times where technology plays a substantial role in everyday life. It presents a way of making the community a partner in enhancing the city’s status, hence promoting public satisfaction and foster trust between the residents and the city administration.
