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911 vs. 311
by 15211Advocate ~ April 9th, 2008. Filed under: Community, Neighborhood watch.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Should I call 911 or should I call 311?” I know I have.
Apparently I’m not alone and there is some confusion among residents about when to call what service.
Today the South Pittsburgh Reporter published an article about this helpful yet sometimes confusing service. At a meeting of the SSSNA, 311 manager Wendy Urbanic tried to explain the differences and gave some great tips about how to make sure your call gets attention.
She said quite simply, “If you need a policeman, call 911.” (OK now I feel stupid), and “for ongoing problems like trash on a property, illegal dumping, graffiti, abandoned cars, or any other violation, residents should call 311.”
Sounds easy enough, right? Well it seems there are some extra things you can do. I thought this was a great tip:
Callers may also take photographs of the problem sites and email them to Ms. Urbanic at wendy.urbanic@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
This information is invaluable. I know that most of the issues you would call 311 about are visual. Whether it’s crazy graffiti, annoying neighbors, abandoned cars, or even an over active bus stop, a picture will just solidify your reason for calling. 90% of phones out there have cameras on them so sit down tonight and figure out how to quickly take a pic and use this feature of 311 to help clean up the 15211!
Also, if you live in District 3 you can do a little more than just call 311 or email a picture.
After calling 311 and receiving a reference number District 3 residents should contact city Councilman Bruce A. Kraus’ office with the complaint and reference number. The office will follow up on the call.
We all know there is nothing like a three-pronged approach to dealing with a nuisance. We should all take this info and start calling 311 any and every time you see or hear something that brings our neighborhood down. Just remember, if it’s serious enough for a police officer, call 911!
April 10th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Calling Bruce Kraus is a sure fire way to insure that political paving continues. Kruas wants to be a litter getter. But, that role is NOT what he should be doing. He is over-reaching. In turn, he is compounding the folly.
Kraus and others on city council are not to be air-traffic controllers for 3-1-1 operations. That is what Luke Ravenstahl has called “micro-management.” The separation of powers needs to be realized by him — and by citizens.
This bad advice will get Kraus sued again. And, I think it would be the 3rd time in his first 100 days. And, it is unethical advice for Kraus to spew and perhaps — for the blog to advocate — unless it is as a watchdog.
The acts like this in the past decades have sent the city into its financial despair. It is time to break the evil pattern of the wrong people trying (in vain) to do the wrong functions. It only leads to frustrations, a broken budget and patronage.
Call 3-1-1. Send the photo. Tell Kraus to get out of the way and do his job. He does NOT need the distractions as he battles cluelessness in his proper capacity.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I think that what Mr. Kraus is doing is reaching out to his district and letting them know that he is a man that you can trust and that he’s someone that is approachable, even to the individual. It’s a valuable trait that more “politicians” should embrace.
We all live in the same community. Just because he’s a Councilman doesn’t mean he can’t care about his community and if he feels helping people with 311 complaints helps his district, then more power to him. I guess that’s why he’s our/my representative and probably will be for a long time.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:35 am
A nice bit of propaganda there Mark.
Bruce Kraus is doing the things that the people in his district elected him to do. He is leading the fight against grafitti/urban blight and making sure that the city takes care of resident concerns. If anyone is giving bad advice it is you. The cases against him have no merit and you know it.
By the way, Didn’t you run against and lose to Bruce Kraus in the last council election? Your post is a pretty clear example of sour grapes.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I guess that’s why he’s our/my representative and probably will be for a long time.
Actually, Dan Deasy is our representative (residents of 15211) . That doesn’t mean that we can’t work with Mr. Kraus if he is focused on getting the results that we are looking for.
(Mr. Deasy is planning to run for a state office in the near future.)
April 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am
True, but there is a section of the 15211 area that is in Mr. Kraus’ district. That is why I felt it was important to put that information on here. I do wish that Dan Deasy and his office would take note of this type of service.
I did hear Mr. Deasy is planning to run, we here at 15211.org wish him luck in his future campaign. Also, we will be looking for someone to replace him in the near future then. Time for some young blood in the City Council in my opinion. Any takers?
April 11th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Bertha St, I noticed that you had 2 comments that were blocked and didn’t make it on the site.
To avoid spam comments, I’ve set up the site to block any comments that have 2 or more links in it, thats why. If anyone ever wants to post a few links please email them to me at 15211org@gmail.com or post them via comments one at a time.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
The propaganda is what Mr. Kraus is full of. The duties of what a real council person should do is what makes Mr. Kraus a light-weight.
You can’t trust a member of city council to plow your street. Not his or her job.
You can’t trust a member of city council to fix a pot hole. Not part of the job duties.
You can’t trust a member of city council to give away things — as the budget has had scores of give-a-way council persons in the past the the city’s debt is overboard.
In this time, in this place — we need focus and purpose.
Of course, Mr. Kraus cares. We all care to some degree. But does he care to do the right things or just the propaganda, feel good, candy-like things?