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March 15, 2008 – Senator Basil Ottley Jr has continued to seek new ways to improve the quality of life for the residents of the Territory. Last week Wednesday thru Friday, Senator attended a special presentation of "Citistat." "CitiStat is an accountability tool based on the ComStat program which utilizes computer pin mapping and weekly accountability sessions that enhances efficiency in the management and delivery of government services to residents" Senator Ottley stated. This innovative real time accountability system allows government to respond more efficiently thru a 311 system to report problems. This program has been established in Baltimore, Maryland where the present Mayor, Sheila Dixon, has been very gracious in allowing visitors to observe the program in operation.
Senator Ottley along with Mr. Karl Knight, Policy Advisor to Governor John deJongh, was able to see Citistat demonstrated in a concrete manner as they observed the actual working of the system from the calls that are made and the various agencies that responded. The most impressive aspect of the system, Senator Ottley stated, is the immediate responsiveness and accountability that occur in the areas of Police, Health Emergencies, and public infrastructural problems. Anyone can call 311, report an issue or problem and it is automatically screened and directed to the responsible agencies.
This system automatically reduces the amount of unnecessary calls to the emergency 911 and political leaders, who are not truly responsible for daily infrastructural issues . Senator Ottley will request a presentation of this program here in the Territory when he returns. He assures the public that once this program is adopted to our local conditions it will begin the process of improving the quality of life of all residents of the Territory.
