Leonardtown, MD — St. Mary’s County citizens now have an easier way of reporting problems they see that require a government fix. The new web-based 311GIS system is now operating and that will allow residents to report non-emergency problems to the departments of Public Works and Transportation, Land Use and Growth Management, and Recreations and Parks. For emergency problems citizens should still call 911.

“See a Problem, Report a Problem” is how the cloud-based systems is being billed. The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County were given a demonstration of the system May 4 by Director of Public Safety and Information Technology Bob Kelly and Director of Public Works and Transportation George Erichsen.

Citizens can access the 311GIS system through the county web site on their personal computers or through apps from Google Play or the Apple Store. They can also register with the system by creating a password although that is not a requirement to use the system. If they register they will be given updates of their request.

The location of the problem is automatically noted through GPS if the reports are made via a smartphone. Or the reporter can locate the problem by tapping on the map on the website. General requests can also be made for non-specific locations.
Pending requests are sited on the county map and citizens can also follow progress reports of request by clicking on the map.

Once the citizen reports the problem it goes automatically to the person on the department’s staff responsible for handling the problem. Erichsen said, “Our foremen have Androids and cell phones for the first time in their life and they love it.” He said that enables the person in charge to quickly fix a problem in their area, even “on their way home.”.

The system has a pop-up menu for identifying the particular problem. Some of the problems that could be responded to include:
• Handicap ramp damage
• Animal carcass pick up
• Blight
• Debris in the gutter
• Graffiti removal
• Guardrail damage
• Missing traffic signs
• Object in the roadway
• Park issues, such as damaged equipment
• Mailbox damage
• Sinkholes and potholes
• Overflowing storm drainage
• Street flooding
• Tree trimming/removal

County employees have been working on the program since last summer and a soft roll out began late last year leading up to the full roll out this week, according to Kelly.

“If you see a sign down, report it,” said Enriches. “We want others to be our eyes and ears out there.”

The system is only available in a few states. Commissioner Tom Jarboe [R – 1st District], who is a techie himself, said he was excited and impressed that the county was embracing the new technology for its citizens.

Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thjebaynet.com