[B’ Spokes: Old news but still I want to make sure you saw it. So that makes two jurisdictions that make reporting bike\/ped issues a little easier. (Baltimore City is the other.)]
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September 3, 2014<\/p>\n
Media Contact:
\nMark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022<\/p>\n
Executive Ulman Launches \u201cTell HoCo\u201d app, first in state that allows non-emergency issues to be reported 24-7<\/p>\n
ELLICOTT CITY, MD \u2013 Howard County Executive Ken Ulman today unveiled Howard County\u2019s newest tool for connecting citizens with their government: a mobile and web-based application called \u201cTell HoCo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell HoCo\u201d allows Howard County residents and visitors to report non-emergency problems \u2013 such as potholes, graffiti, downed tree limbs and traffic signal issues, among others \u2013 to the appropriate county government representative, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.<\/p>\n
Via the app, citizens can use their smart phones to snap a photo, send a report, and track its progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we are taking the step to make Howard County more responsive, more innovative, and more efficient, than ever before,\u201d said Executive Ulman. \u201cWe will be crowd-sourcing a better County.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added Howard County Councilperson Courtney Watson: \u201cThis is a great tool to help our communities connect better with their government. Howard County\u2019s hard-working employees, as always, are ready to help as much as they can.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u201cTell HoCo\u201d app can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or from Google play. Users can make anonymous reports if they desire, after they register. Additionally, links to the web version of \u201cTell HoCo\u201d will now be prominently included on the Howard County government website.<\/p>\n
Once issues are identified, the person making the report receives updates on its progress. Users can also check to see what issues have been reported in their communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u2018Tell HoCo\u2019 app is also a perfect internal management tool,\u201d Executive Ulman said. \u201cOur public works department and recreation and parks staff have been using it for a couple of months to track their work and monitor their progress. This is eliminating paperwork, and making our crews more efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howard County Councilperson Jen Terrasa said it was important for the County to embrace technology to help citizens. \u201cWe need to stay on the cutting edge, and this app will help us work together toward a better future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Video from today\u2019s launch of the \u201cTell HoCo\u201d app can be found at https:\/\/youtu.be\/ul4SUGJxQOI<\/a><\/p>\n