In Social Capital Review, some thoughts about crime-busting as civic engagement. All brought on by the 60th birthday of the FBI's "10 Most Wanted List." But there are a lot of other ways to engage around public safety, not the least of which might be with mobile devices and real-time reporting of criminal activity unfolding on the streets.

Another way community engagement might boost crime-fighting would be the use of Web-based systems similar to FixMyStreet.com (in the U.K.). Similar tools could also enable reports in real time on mobile devices to a transparent, official law enforcement Web site about open air drug markets, prostitution and other crimes being committed in public view. This capability would be especially welcome in crime-riddled Seattle locations such as North Aurora Avenue, Belltown, Pioneer Square and Downtown. Confidential registration of “reporters” could be required to protect against false submissions. Response times and outcomes could then be tracked – again, transparently – on these special, two-way law enforcement sites. That would raise the bar on performance and accountability, something increasingly vital in a time of sharply limited public resources. And sharply limited police manpower.

Stay tuned to Social Capital Review for a steady stream of news and analysis on civic engagement, community-building and collaboration, public disclosure and transparency.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at March 12, 2010 07:05 PM