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Need 3-1-1? There's (almost) an app for that

SOON Philadelphians will be able to report problem potholes, trashy blocks and busted streetlights on their smartphones with the city's new free 3-1-1 mobile application.

SOON Philadelphians will be able to report problem potholes, trashy blocks and busted streetlights on their smartphones with the city's new free 3-1-1 mobile application.

Managing Director Rich Negrin said Tuesday that the city's nonemergency call center, which handles a million calls a year, could roll out a mobile app as early as this summer. The announcement followed a question posed by City Councilman Bill Green during Tuesday's budget hearing.

"We're absolutely going to have one," Negrin said. "We want to use technology to encourage participation proactively. . . . Folks who don't have access to computers have smartphones."

The city issued requests for proposals six weeks ago. Chief Innovation Officer Adel Ebeid said that a vendor will be selected by the end of the month.

"When it's in place and it's fully deployed, you'll be able to download the app, submit a request, take a picture and attach that," Ebeid said, adding that it would be similar to applications in other cities. "You'll be able to follow through, follow on your request [and] get notification that it's handled by the city."

Negrin said that the cost to the city should be less than $20,000.

The city has been trying for two years to create a phone app. A small group of PhillyRising workers had access starting last year to an app for BlackBerrys, but Negrin said that he's pushing for the latest plan to "have the broadest impact" and include the most mobile devices.

The Daily News reported Monday that many of the city's residents who need Philly311 the most don't know that it exists. Negrin said that the city is looking at low-cost ways of advertising and public-private partnerships to raise awareness.