The upgraded version was launched Sunday and will update automatically on users' devices. The app lets users to report potholes, graffiti, broken traffic signals, illegal dumping and more. "The Get It Done app gives you a tool to improve our city in the palm of your hand, and now, it's better than ever," said Mayor Todd Gloria in a statement.
Gloria said the new updates will allow residents to easily report non-emergency issues, which will help city staff prioritize items to create safer neighborhoods. With the app residents take pictures of a problem and satellite technology gives the city its the exact location. Users will now be able to submit multiple photos for a request.
For the first time there's a Spanish version, which the app will automatically display if a user's mobile phone is set to Spanish. The reports can be submitted in Spanish and will be translated by an electronic translation service for city staff. There's also an improved category selection, and a revamped redesign and look. The update also includes an option to view reports submitted by neighbors.
The city launched the app four years ago. It has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. City officials said on average there are 19,000 active users each month. The app received 362,000 complaint reports in 2019. Residents in some neighborhoods, such as City Heights, organize "Get It Done" days where residents walk up and down streets to report issues.
The city's response times to Get It Done requests vary. Last year some city council members raised concerns about backlogs and equity issues. Council member Vivian Moreno, who represents south San Diego neighborhoods of Logan Heights, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and Barrio Logan, raised concerns in November that some constituents complained reports went unresolved for months.
She also pointed to an analysis by The Union-Tribune that showed reports of graffiti take much longer to get resolved in lower-income Districts 4, 8 and 9 than they do in wealthier parts of the city.
City officials have said they plan to conduct an analysis of responses time to see where there is room for improvement.
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