New App Empowers Citizens to Report Code Violations

Shawn Leininger, AICP, City of Delaware, Ohio

The City of Delaware, Ohio recently launched “MyDelaware,” a free smartphone application that gives residents a new and more efficient way to notify the City about code violation and other issues.

Once installed on a compatible smartphone, users open the application and follow prompts to document and take a picture of the issue and then tap “submit.”  Using built-in global positioning system technology, the application will attach a location to the report and send it to the City, where it will be routed to the appropriate department.  At the request of the user, the City can also provide status updates directly with either a text message, email, or both.

“This is an exciting new program that takes advantage of and puts to use the technology that many people carry with them most of the day,” said Planning and Community Development Director David Efland. “Creating a reporting tool for residents that provides us with additional eyes on the street will help us keep our community an even better place to live.”

The initial list of reportable items includes: tall grass/weeds (12 inches or more), junk/trash, property maintenance, inoperable or abandoned vehicles, sign in right-of-way/off-site, temporary sign/attraction device, indoor furniture stored outside, and graffiti.

The “MyDelaware” application was created by App-Order (dot) com at no cost to the City and is free to download from the Android market and soon will be available on the iPhone market. App-Order (dot) com provides a standard format for reporting an issue that the City is able to customize.  These customizations generally include the list of reportable items, how reportable items are communicated to City staff, and any outgoing messages and audio.

The author can be reached at sleininger (at) delawareohio (dot) net