By MATT DEMIRS
REVERE — The city is having a photo contest to promote its 311 call center, a new way to report non-emergency incidents.
“We see the 311 service as transformative to residents in voicing their concerns to city hall,” said Joseph Gravellese, a spokesman for Mayor Brian M. Arrigo. “No more will people experience being directed from department to department to solve their issue or collect information.”
The photo competition invites Revere residents to involve the community with the launch of 311, to personalize the site.
As officials narrow down the choices of some of the best submissions, they will use an online voting process to pick the winners.
Residents have the opportunity to win prizes by submitting their best pictures of Revere to be included on the website and the app.
A total of five winners, including at least one Revere Public School student, will be selected and awarded a $50 gift certificate to Kelly’s Roast Beef.
The 311 call center will allow residents to report hazards such as broken tree branches and potholes. Boston, Everett, and Somerville have had the system in place for years.
One of the most interesting facets is the ability to track citywide issues and the status of requests, Gravellese said.
Steve Craig, Somerville’s constituent director, said he has been happy with the 311 system since the city began using it nearly a decade ago. He recommends it for other towns.
“As a city, we are constantly re-evaluating and deciding what works and what doesn’t,” he said. “I believe that any city can benefit by making the switch to 311.”
By glancing at Somerville’s 311 data online, The Item found 69 of 98 pothole complaints have been repaired in the last two months.
The site also reports on requests made about graffiti, sidewalk repair, city building maintenance, and more.
“Revere’s hope is to provide a new approach for residents to interact with local government,” Gravellese said. “It will not only improve the capacity to how we address issues, as well as provide members of the community with questions like how to get a permit or sticker for trash pickup.”
The program in Revere cost $100,000 per year, with $81,000 set aside for two full-time employees. The money will come from the city’s fiscal year budget after the upfront cost was covered by the administration of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
The 311 website and app will feature photos of Revere landmarks — including Revere Beach, historic buildings, and other snapshots of city life.
Entries include sand castles from the annual sculpting competition, Wonderland station, and a fisheye shot of City Hall, just to name a few.
To vote, visit https://www.poll-maker.com/poll1100325x5b784a64-46, mark the check on the picture you want to win, and scroll down the bottom of the page to click vote.
Matt Demirs can be reached at [email protected].