White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Website Introduces Test White Plains 311 Service: http://311.wpny.us

WPCNR WIRED WHITE PLAINS. By Don Hughes. December 27, 2006: White Plains does not have a 3-1-1 service. That is why our Community Policing representative - Lt. Kristopher - was so appreciated until he was reassigned. He was our entrance into the inner workings of the city. You could call him with any problem and he would direct you to the correct resource. He was, in effect, the city´s 3-1-1 operator.

Obviously, a 3-1-1 service cannot be implemented without the city´s cooperation. However, there is an ancillary function - service request input and tracking - that can be implemented as a web site.

As you know, you can dial 9-1-1 to report an emergency. This is just
one of a number of easy-to-remember three-digit `abbreviated dialing´
telephone numbers which allows access to special services.
Usage is generally assigned as follows:
o211: community services
o311: government services
o411: phone company directory assistance
o511: traffic information
o611: phone company customer service
o711: TDD relay for the deaf
o811: underground public utility location (or phone company
business office)
o911: emergency services
911 and 411 work from nearly every telephone in the U.S. and Canada,
while the others may vary from place to place. Generally, only 411
calls incur a toll. 911 access is mandated by law, even on lines with
no service (a "soft" dial tone). 611 may also be accessible to
activate service on such lines.

2-1-1 is meant to provide quick information and referrals to health and
human services. Other community services are provided through 211, but
only if a non-profit organization such as the United Way operates it
locally.

3-1-1 is meant to provide quick, easy-to-remember access to non-
emergency municipal services or a Citizen Service Center. Dialing this
number allows city residents to obtain important non-emergency services
through a central, an all-purpose phone number quickly and effectively.
3-1-1 is intended, in part, to divert routine inquiries and non-urgent
community concerns from the emergency 9-1-1 number. A promotional
website for 3-1-1 in Los Angeles described the distinction as follows:
Burning building? Call 9-1-1.
Burning Question? Call 3-1-1.

In cities where 311 has been implemented it is very popular. In NYC,
for example, their 311 operators handle almost 39,000 calls a day
covering things such as bus information, CFC and Freon removal,
landlord complaints, parking violations and towed vehicles.

The Citizen Service Center concept is so popular because it is
frequently difficult to determine the appropriate agency to contact,
and then to determine their phone number. In White Plains, for
example, there are multiple departments responsible for paining street
lines. Noisy construction site - Building Department or Public Safety?
Tree across the sidewalk - Public Safety or DPW? Parking ticket?

I have created an EXAMPLE site - 311.wpny.us - to demonstrate the
concept. The site is limited by my lack of time and money, and is not
as polished as an official city site would be. Any requests that you
submit will NOT be sent to any city department. However, I would
really appreciate your help in testing how the concept would work in
White Plains. Please access the site and enter any unresolved service
request that you may have. Things such as buckled sidewalks, burnt out
streetlights, potholes, missing street signs, illegal parking,
whatever. I have seeded the request types with a number of choices,
but if you do not see yours listed, just use the `not listed´ category.
This will help me flesh out the choices. If something is confusing, or
broken, or you have a suggestion, send me a note at comments@wpny.us.

So, fire up your browser and enter http://311.wpny.us

Note: In the original version of this story, the complete URL was not provided. That has been corrected to test Mr. Hughes' site go to http://311.wpny.us


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