More Than A Bird's Eye View, Part II
Several interesting developments are afoot. Mayor Bloomberg recently announced plans for online access to 311 data, and a "digital 911" (the idea is that citizens can take a camera phone picture of a crime in progress and send it directly to the NYPD). Sites like "Holla Back" use the internet to channel public outrage over harrasment of women on the subway. And on Google, features like MyMaps and Streetview are enhancing the power of online maps: millions of users are adding their own content to create a growing Geoweb. All of this makes it easier for citizens with access to the internet to find out what's going on in their neighborhood and communicate with others.
Now, another online resource. I recently discovered a website that makes it possible to sort through new building permits, building violations, business reviews, crime reports, pending and completed graffiti cleanings, landmark building permits issued, liquor licenses, news articles, Flikr photos, restaurant inspections, even lost and found postings and "missed connections," by neighborhood, zip code, or Precinct. View the Bronx section of Every Block NYC.
Update (02/22/2008): Every Block NYC is trying to include up to date crime data, but hitting some obstacles. From Wonkster (Gotham Gazette): Police No Help For Crime Map Project.
As amatuer activists and journalist build an ever growing online repository of neighborhood information, photos, and maps, the can get into trouble sometimes. People might wonder why you're taking pictures! "People are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated into handing over their personal property simply because they were taking photographs of subjects that made other people uncomfortable." Here's a downloadable PDF "Know your rights" pamphlet on the subject.
Now, another online resource. I recently discovered a website that makes it possible to sort through new building permits, building violations, business reviews, crime reports, pending and completed graffiti cleanings, landmark building permits issued, liquor licenses, news articles, Flikr photos, restaurant inspections, even lost and found postings and "missed connections," by neighborhood, zip code, or Precinct. View the Bronx section of Every Block NYC.
Update (02/22/2008): Every Block NYC is trying to include up to date crime data, but hitting some obstacles. From Wonkster (Gotham Gazette): Police No Help For Crime Map Project.
As amatuer activists and journalist build an ever growing online repository of neighborhood information, photos, and maps, the can get into trouble sometimes. People might wonder why you're taking pictures! "People are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated into handing over their personal property simply because they were taking photographs of subjects that made other people uncomfortable." Here's a downloadable PDF "Know your rights" pamphlet on the subject.
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