Hempstead residents can now access public information from any personal device via the Hempstead-On-The-Go app.
The app, which the town launched last Tuesday, also allows residents to report problems and live stream town board meetings.
“I ran on making the town more transparent and information more easily accessible to residents,” Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen said in a statement. “So I’m happy to announce the completion of one of the first of many new initiatives designed to make government more user-friendly for the more than 770,000 residents of America’s largest township.”
Through the app, residents can upload photos of issues around the town – like a blown street light or blocked storm drain.
This allows town support staff to see where a problem is and fix it promptly.
The app, constructed completely in house, is on the cutting edge of technology, Gillen said.
It’s designed with progressive technology, which protects users’ personal information with a secure connection.
“This new technology offers increased cyber-security and peace of mind to residents who may have been hesitant in the past to enter in their personal information online,” Gillen said. “We are eliminating the middle man with app stores, allowing us to get out information to residents in real-time, as our staff manages updates and improvements without having to rely on the timelines of technology companies.
Companies like Google, Twitter, Instagram and the Washington Post have also embraced the new technology, Gillen said.
“The potential for this technology is almost endless,” Gillen added. “And the Town of Hempstead is on the cutting edge of it.”
