It's bad enough that the OPD's response to budget cuts is to push more of the reporting to an online system, but it is outrageous that the online system doesn't work on a cell phone with a web browser.  In a city where general unemployment is 17% or better, and unemployment among specific commmunities can be over 40%, doesn't the City of Oakland recognize that many victims of crimes would lack timely access to computers--and have web-enabled phones?

Oakland Local tested both the online reporting system and the interface on a cell phone. The web site--which does work--has a confusing interface design, has links that lead to a long, messy form, and seems to have been published without benefit of a copyeditor. That's annoying--and unneccessary--the City should go back and make it better.

However, what's a real scandal--a shame--is that the City hasn't bothered to make the crime reporting system functional on cell phones--both the Smart Phones like Blackberries and iPhones and the simple feature phones 85% of the population use. If you try to use this system from the web browser on a phone--a much more possible solution for many people in Oakland--the site either hangs or redirects to the front page of the general police site.  WTF?

The Oakland PD should call on some of the tech organizations in Oakland and get some help to make the crime reporting site have a better interface AND WORK ON A CELL PHONE.

After all, it's one thing to tell the people in Oakland they need to report crimes including Abandoned Vehicle, Attempted Auto Theft , Vehicle Burglary, Vehicle Tampering, Residential Burglary, Theft,  Identity Theft, Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, Theft of Mail, Theft of Dog, Vandalism and Lost Property, Harassing Phone Call,    and  Hit and Run online--but how about making sure more people can access the system on their #$#%A#% PHONES?

For a police department that has spent millions of dollars buying high-tech police toys--including the LARPD sonic device and the SMART BOOT, OPD seems pretty unconcerned about whether citizens can use what they produce.

Bad, bad, bad. Let's get this fixed, ASAP. Comments welcomed, below.

About Susan Mernit

Susan Mernit is the founder of Oakland Local. She is also a circuit rider for The Community Information Challenge, a program of The John S and James L Knight Foundation, and a consultant to non-profit and community organizations. Susan lives in North Oakland, near the Santa Fe school, with her partner Andy, her housemate, a big old dog named Winston, and a yard full of ants. She is an aspiring gardener, a long-time blogger & entrepreneur, and a recovering journalist.