By: Frehiwote Negash –
The introduction of 3-1-1 into municipal government has been a godsend for city workers and the public at large in facilitating communication between the city and its citizens. By dialling 3-1-1, locals can access services and vocalize concerns while allowing City Hall to effectively respond to inquiries and complaints. The city of Baltimore was the first to adopt the 3-1-1 service in 1996. Today, municipalities all over North America have integrated the service and have made it available on a number of platforms to facilitate access. 3-1-1 gives citizens’ access to a whole range of non-emergency city services such as snow and garbage removal to reporting broken streetlights. As technology continuously evolves and people adapt to new forms of communication, cities must also find ways to better communicate with locals.
In collaboration with DealNet Capital Corp (CNSX.DLS), the city of Windsor, have added a texting option to their 3-1-1 platform; the first of its kind in Canada. The short code 3-1-1 enables citizens to access services or lodge complaints via text during weekdays from 8:30-4:30 excluding holidays. As citizens are increasingly more reliant on cell phones, the texting option offers a much more convenient way to interact. While citizens can still access 311 services via phone, email or online, by offering the services on various platforms, city mangers will be better equipped to respond much more effectively to the public and relay information. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has stated that he wants to start tracking info on city department responses in order to place the onus on city councillors to respond promptly and effectively. This type of initiative not only provides feedback to the City Hall on its performance but it forces city councillors to be accountable to its constituents.
Source: blog.civiccommons.org, Windsor Star