Data from citizen reporting platforms like 311 has biases that could create disparities in how local governments distribute public resources. So why are they still using it?
This is super thorough work! Thank you for bringing this information to the forefront. I've been an advocate for using 311 to report on lack of heat or hot water, but didn't know how extensive the 311 reporting system was until I read your newsletter.
This "neighbor-on-neighbor policing" is a real problem. In general I'm a big supporter of online anonymity – people being able to speak their piece in public without disclosing their identities.
But when it comes to reporting other people's activities to government officials in ways that could get them arrested, cited, towed, or have other negative and potentially life-threatening consequences, I think we need to draw the line.
The right to confront your accuser in court is a cornerstone of the justice system for a reason, and setting up a system that allows people to make harmful and sometimes false accusations without any personal consequence is rife for abuse.
This is super thorough work! Thank you for bringing this information to the forefront. I've been an advocate for using 311 to report on lack of heat or hot water, but didn't know how extensive the 311 reporting system was until I read your newsletter.
This "neighbor-on-neighbor policing" is a real problem. In general I'm a big supporter of online anonymity – people being able to speak their piece in public without disclosing their identities.
But when it comes to reporting other people's activities to government officials in ways that could get them arrested, cited, towed, or have other negative and potentially life-threatening consequences, I think we need to draw the line.
The right to confront your accuser in court is a cornerstone of the justice system for a reason, and setting up a system that allows people to make harmful and sometimes false accusations without any personal consequence is rife for abuse.