It’s now easier than ever to report a problem in the city of Hammond.
The Hammond 311 app, which can be downloaded from gohammond.com or through Google Play and various other markets, is “working well,” according to Chris Campbell, IT director for the city.
“It has definitely opened up another communication channel to the public since we launched last September,” Campbell said.
Non-emergency issues such as potholes, graffiti and streetlight outages can be reported by using the app.
“All you do is launch the Hammond 311 app, click on the icon to make a report, verify your location - which is usually easy since it records the GPS in your phone - and then select a category such as ‘power outages,’” Campbell said. “You can then take a photo of the issue, attach it and then hit submit.”
The app comes at no cost to the public and is a great way for the city to prioritize issues while making them aware of everything residents notice.
“The public is going to see the problems before we do, so this is a great way for them to let us know what’s happening in their neighborhood,” Campbell said, noting that the city is averaging 167 help tickets a month with 342 being received in July and 240 in August.
“You can tell it is really picking up in the summer months,” Campbell said.
A map is available at gohammond.com, where all current and closed issues can be seen. Issues are still prioritized by the city, with the resident informer being able to track the progress of the work involved to fix something.
Campbell said the idea for an app to “help modernize the city” came from Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., who challenged Campbell to “make it happen.”
“He has really been out there for us,” Campbell said of McDermott. “We looked at a few different products during the selection process, which took us about a month before we found something like this we really liked.”
Hammond 311 reports can be made anonymously.
“We hope all residents embrace this more internally and externally,” Campbell said.