LOOKING
TO IMPROVE
ACCESS TO CITY
SERVICES,
ZABLOCKI CALLS
FOR 311 TEXT
MESSAGING
According to
Zablocki, you
can use 311 via
phone and the
internet and he
says now let’s
make it even
easier to use
311, via text
message
New York
– Ever want
a quick
answer to
the most
commonly
asked
questions?
Wondering if
garbage will
be picked up
on a certain
holiday or
if alternate
side of the
street
parking is
suspended?
How about if
a school is
closed or a
bus, subway
or ferry is
running on a
holiday
schedule?
Well answers
could be
obtained as
quickly as
it takes to
send a text
message to
311. That is
the plan by
Alex
Zablocki,
Republican
candidate
for Public
Advocate.
Alex says
that if he
is elected
New York
City’s next
Public
Advocate, he
would work
with the
Department
of
Information
Technology
and
Telecommunications
(DoITT) and
the
Commission
on Public
Information
and
Communication
to bring
text
messaging to
311, New
York City’s
helpline.
Under Zablocki’s plan, users trying to access city services would be able to text message short questions to 311 and receive simple answers to things like holiday parking regulations, garbage pickup, school closures, bus and subway information, etc. The entire system would be automated and reduce the amount of calls being placed to 311. Under Zablocki’s plan, users would also be able to check the status on prior 311 complaints by text message the complaint number to 311. If the system couldn’t give an answer, it would direct the user to call 311.
“Sometimes you just want an answer to a simple question, like “Am I allowed to park here today?”. That is why I believe we should bring text messaging to 311. Why not make it even easier to access city services and information. Allowing residents to text message 311 would reduce call volume and help people get quick answers to simple questions. In the long run, it will save taxpayers money if it means answers can be automated and sent by a computer system, instead of going through a live person, if they choose to text message 311. ”, Alex Zablocki said.
Currently, residents could call 311 for information on city services and to file complaints. Often times, questions are quick and common, tying up lines to get answers to simple questions. Allowing text messaging would make life easier for all New Yorker’s.
“The majority of New Yorker’s own cell phones and in a fast paced environment like New York City, allowing text messaging to 311 to get quick answers will make life easier for all residents. This program will not only improve city services, but will reduce the cost of agents and call volume to the 311 centers.”, Alex Zablocki said.
Major corporations like Google already have text messaging services available for users to send short messages and get quick answers like phone numbers, addresses, weather and other search parameters.
In the latest report on 311 services, released by the Mayor’s Office of Operations (http://www.nyc.gov/html/ops/html/311/311_vol_perf_levels_mar_09.shtml), as of March 2009, 311 received 13.97 million calls in fiscal year 2009. 49% of the callers had only requested information form the first agent, were given those answers and no further information or action was required. Text message would be another way for people to get quick answers to commonly asked questions.
As Public Advocate, Alex Zablocki is charged with assisting New York City residents in getting better access to city services. The Public Advocate also sits on the Commission on Public Information and Communication.
Alex Zablocki has been unanimously endorsed by all five Republican county organizations in New York City and is the youngest candidate to ever run for Public Advocate. Alex has over six year’s experience working in city and state government as well as being a small business owner since 2001. Alex is a lifelong New Yorker and currently resides in the borough of Staten Island where he has owned a home in the Tottenville section for the past three years.
More information about Alex Zablocki and his candidacy for Public Advocate can be found at www.alex2009.com or by calling his campaign at 718-734-1093.
Alex Zablocki’s campaign can also be reached by sending a text message to 347-983-9370.
# # #
Under Zablocki’s plan, users trying to access city services would be able to text message short questions to 311 and receive simple answers to things like holiday parking regulations, garbage pickup, school closures, bus and subway information, etc. The entire system would be automated and reduce the amount of calls being placed to 311. Under Zablocki’s plan, users would also be able to check the status on prior 311 complaints by text message the complaint number to 311. If the system couldn’t give an answer, it would direct the user to call 311.
“Sometimes you just want an answer to a simple question, like “Am I allowed to park here today?”. That is why I believe we should bring text messaging to 311. Why not make it even easier to access city services and information. Allowing residents to text message 311 would reduce call volume and help people get quick answers to simple questions. In the long run, it will save taxpayers money if it means answers can be automated and sent by a computer system, instead of going through a live person, if they choose to text message 311. ”, Alex Zablocki said.
Currently, residents could call 311 for information on city services and to file complaints. Often times, questions are quick and common, tying up lines to get answers to simple questions. Allowing text messaging would make life easier for all New Yorker’s.
“The majority of New Yorker’s own cell phones and in a fast paced environment like New York City, allowing text messaging to 311 to get quick answers will make life easier for all residents. This program will not only improve city services, but will reduce the cost of agents and call volume to the 311 centers.”, Alex Zablocki said.
Major corporations like Google already have text messaging services available for users to send short messages and get quick answers like phone numbers, addresses, weather and other search parameters.
In the latest report on 311 services, released by the Mayor’s Office of Operations (http://www.nyc.gov/html/ops/html/311/311_vol_perf_levels_mar_09.shtml), as of March 2009, 311 received 13.97 million calls in fiscal year 2009. 49% of the callers had only requested information form the first agent, were given those answers and no further information or action was required. Text message would be another way for people to get quick answers to commonly asked questions.
As Public Advocate, Alex Zablocki is charged with assisting New York City residents in getting better access to city services. The Public Advocate also sits on the Commission on Public Information and Communication.
Alex Zablocki has been unanimously endorsed by all five Republican county organizations in New York City and is the youngest candidate to ever run for Public Advocate. Alex has over six year’s experience working in city and state government as well as being a small business owner since 2001. Alex is a lifelong New Yorker and currently resides in the borough of Staten Island where he has owned a home in the Tottenville section for the past three years.
More information about Alex Zablocki and his candidacy for Public Advocate can be found at www.alex2009.com or by calling his campaign at 718-734-1093.
Alex Zablocki’s campaign can also be reached by sending a text message to 347-983-9370.
# # #
