Anyone who has spent a Monday morning wading through an inbox jammed with dozens of e-mails may question just how much time technology actually saves us.
There is no denying, however, that a new iPhone application makes it simple for residents to contact staff with the city of Thornton.
See some unsightly graffiti in the neighborhood? Is a traffic light out at 120th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard? Is that pothole near the school only getting bigger? All it takes to report these types of problems, and many others, is a quick touch of the finger.
“The cool thing about the iPhone is that it makes it so simple,” said Kendall Smith, president of Government Outreach Inc., the company that works with Thornton to make the program possible. “You simply take a picture and submit it.”
The iPhone application is an extension of Thornton Connected, an effort started about a year ago that allows for easier pathways of communication between residents and the city. Answers to commonly asked questions are available, as is contact information for every department or category.
Now, with the new application, iPhone users can snap a photograph of the pothole or graffiti or whatever issue and hit send. It’s not necessary to send in a location because the iPhone GPS automatically pinpoints the area for city staff on a map, along with the picture and brief description.
“We are all about making it easier for citizens to interact with us,” said Todd Barnes, Thornton’s communication manager. “They don’t have to worry about calling an office or sitting down at a computer. The resident will also receive status updates on their report. This technology will improve efficiency and save the city time and money while improving customer service.”
Barnes listed a dozen uses for the application, from snow and weed removal to problems with the sidewalk.
Arvada employs the same system, and Commerce City is working to get its program up and running, according to Smith. About three dozens cities nationwide currently are using the service. He added that Government Outreach is planning to extend the service to other mobile devices aside from iPhones.
“It’s the logical extension,” he said. “Smart phones are getting smarter, and everybody has one.”
The application can be downloaded free from the iPhone App Store by searching for GORequest. For more information, visit www.cityofthornton.net.
Brady Delander can be reached at bdelander@metronorthnews.com