The combined power of Facebook’s 600 million worldwide users and the 14,000 registered public officials accepting community reports through SeeClickFix should yield some interesting results, he said in a statement released by SeeClickFix.
“If [Facebook users] wanted to form a maintenance and cleanup crew for a park, we see that happening — where people take accountability for space that is forgotten or understaffed by municipalities,” he said.
The company said more than 50,000 issues — such as potholes and graffiti — have been resolved through its platform, which is available in both free and pay versions.
The service is available on browsers and in a smartphone app. A user can start reporting issues, upload photos and address locations, create watch areas and ask that a problem be fixed. The new Facebook integration will allow users to post the issues they’ve submitted on their walls.
A SeeClickFix tab can now be added onto a government’s Facebook page. For a fee, the company will also build governments a customized Facebook app.
Users will now be awarded “Civic Points” for their participation, which will eventually be tallied into leaderboards on Facebook. But this game mechanic isn’t the main objective.
“Obviously the real reward is connecting to your neighbors and your government and getting real problems solved,” Berkowitz said.
Berkowitz was recognized last month as a Top 25 Doer, Dream and Driver for 2011 by Government Technology magazine.
