Web Development

While cutting through the frustrating red tape of local bureaucracy while reporting graffiti painted on a vacant house, Ben Berkowitz decided that there must be a better way to get things done. A Web Designer by trade, Ben had a novel idea: a website that would act as a public 3-1-1 telephone line, allowing citizens to report local public works problems that require city attention.

So Ben - along with Jeff Blasius, Kam and Miles Lasater - founded SeeClickFix.com. 

SeeClickFix allows people to report non-emergency problems to local authorities and others who want to improve the public space. Whether it is the lack of a safe way for bicycles to cross I-85 in Atlanta or a broken fence in Joondalup, Australia, the site allows citizens to report problems immediately and publicly. And whereas 311 is a one-way reporting tool to inform government workers about problems, SeeClickFix actively encourages citizens to take care of some problems themselves. For instance, a problem like "Broken glass strewn across the...sidewalk at First Avenue Bridge in Moorhead, Minnesota," is something that local residents are encouraged to clean up themselves.

Additionally, SeeClickFix allows users to create "tracking alerts" that will notify them of any trouble near where they work or live.

Ben and the team helped start the website with some important help from use of existing tools created by major companies like Google (log onto the SeeClickFix and you'll notice a large Google map that pinpoints reported problems.) So far, Ben estimates that 1000 cities have adopted the technology - and the list keeps growing.