As if Philadelphians don’t complain enough, the city is now asking for your gripes via two separate initiatives announced today.
Keep Philadelphia Beautiful’s “Littering Is Wrong Too” campaign is asking residents to send in written descriptions, photos or video of other “wrongs.” The press release cites humorous examples like “texting during a funeral” and “dating a Mets fan!” – though the exclamation point is reportedly optional.
“Wrongs” can be submitted through email, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter or by stopping by the campaign’s photo booth at several upcoming cultural events.
During the week of June 25, the top five finalist photos will be featured on the organization’s Facebook page, where members can vote for their favorites. The winner will be the face of a string of digital billboards along I-76 and I-95.
In a separate initiative, the city and Code for America is launching a pilot of community feedback gathering system Textizen.
For four weeks, residents of Center City and the Lower Northeast (who presumably complain more than residents in other neighborhoods) will see posters in transit shelters, rec centers and other public places asking questions about transportation, recreation and overall quality of life.
Each poster will have a phone number to which viewers via text. The City Planning Commission will discuss the complaints – er, feedback – and use the data to shape recommendations they make to the city’s district plans in the Philadelphia2035 report.
City officials said the initiative lowers barriers to civic participation and allows for feedback from a diverse spectrum of community members, including those who are unable to attend public meetings.
The city hopes to expand Textizen into a permanent outreach tool once the pilot ends.
