SAN DIEGO — San Diego may be known as America's Finest City, but there are some parts that need tending to – luckily, there's an app for that. From graffiti to these overgrown trees to uneven curbs – many very different concerns have been reported to the city’s Get It Done app.
Get It Done is basically a one-stop portal that connects San Diegans with a variety of city services. The relatively new system has taken off with about 1,000 reports coming in every day.
Alex Hempton is the program's manager.
"I think we were surprised at how quickly it took off,” Hempton said.
While some reports are very helpful others are a little strange.
"Right after we launched, someone reported a dead cockroach that was downtown,” said Hempton.
That was one of the first entries made after Get It Done launched in 2016: a report of a dead animal turned out to be a bug.
From there, reports only got bigger with entries about the dumping of couches in the College Area, a toilet canned at the curb and a giant hot tub in City Heights.
Kevin Hasty is an avid user of the app.
"I think the idea of the app was incredible,” said Hasty. “If it is done properly it's an amazing way to get things done"
But lately he says he's become frustrated with the system. Hasty is one of several people who've reached out to News 8 to voice their concerns over how long services take.
In Oak Park, Hasty says a broken-down motorcycle has been sitting for more than two months despite him reporting it weeks ago.
"I had no response from the city at all,” he said.
News 8 brought those concerns to the source asking how long the average problem takes to resolve.
"Depending on what the problem is reported, it can vary in the time it takes to resolve that issue,” said Hempton. “If it's just fixing a burned-out street light that could be quick but if there are underground wiring issues it could take longer."
Hempton says it takes at least 72 hours for a report to even be processed into the system.
In a move to make services quicker, the app was re-launched last year and instead of everything going to one place, reports are now filtered out to nine city departments.
Centers operate throughout the city with updated information and data plugged into the website every hour.
It's a work in progress and the city is asking for patience from those looking for change as it attempts to "get it done" - one click at a time.