Thanks to audience feedback, we’re expanding what started out as a graffiti reporting map to now include the opportunity for you to report potholes, burned out streetlights, problems with signs, broken sidewalks and other public infrastructure issues that the city of Seattle says can be fixed in short order.
Report issues to the city using the links and phone numbers you’ll find on the map page. Then tag the map with your report. When the issue is resolved, update it on the map. The aim of this tool is to highlight local issues and the city’s responsiveness in addressing these concerns.
According to the city, it’s their goal to have potholes repaired in two business days, burned out streetlights fixed in 10 business days and graffiti removed from private property in 10 days after the owner has been contacted. The map can be used to see how well the city is doing at meeting those goals.
If you have any feedback on the map, post a comment, or send us a note at tips@phinneywood.com. We’re also looking for a more catchy name for this service, so share your ideas.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Mike Perry // Mar 9, 2010 at 8:29 am
I’d suggest not reporting graffiti to anyone but the property owner, who probably already knows about it.
The city, which does little or nothing to catch those making graffiti, will simply threaten property owners with fines if they don’t fix it in the 10-day period you mention. We shouldn’t be a part of that bureaucratic nastiness. Nothing is more basic to the role of government than stopping crime.
2 Art Grauer // Mar 9, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I heard (on NPR) about an iphone app called SeeClickFix and gave it a try. On Sunday I reported a pair of shoes hanging from some power lines down the street and received a phone call from the city of Seattle this morning about the issue. Here’s the link if anyone would like to check it out:
http://seeclickfix.com/citizens
3 Art Grauer // Mar 9, 2010 at 2:24 pm
…and I now see that SeeClickFix is powering your map. Awesome. Anyway, I highly recommend the iphone app. It’s oddly fun walking down the street submitting photos of potholes, graffiti, and other problems.
4 EnduroDriver // Mar 10, 2010 at 10:26 am
I submitted a pothole repair request for a street near my office in SODO on Monday and they repaired them within 48 hours. Nice work Seattle DOT.
On reporting graffiti I kind of agree with Mike but I can’t see any reason a business wouldn’t remove the graffiti ASAP because of the impact it has on their business. I’d think most of us are reasonable enough to give the local coffee shop a few days to get things cleaned up. The problem I see is the absentee landlords and developers that leave their derelict properties to rot until they can build their ugly mixed use building. The lot at 85th and 1st NW as a prime example.
5 Diana // Mar 10, 2010 at 11:30 am
This is fantastic. I’ve always wondered how little things like pot holes get noticed by the fixer-uppers. Thanks for the info
6 petsfriend // Mar 11, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I believe we SHOULD report private property graffiti to the city. Property owners need to remove graffiti from their property as quickly as possible. Leaving it up only encourages more tags and decreases the living in the neighborhood.
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