SF Broken Windows

Published by James June 28th, 2006 in Life, San Francisco, Social Networks

So here is an idea to file under “thinking out loud”:

After having my window broke for the 3rd time in the last 9 months, seeing all the trash bags over car windows and glass on the sidewalk in my neighborhood. I think I came up with an idea.

This is not some get tough on crime scheme, but rather a plan for how the city can work together with a couple of social media tools to combat theft and keep the good people of San Francisco where they belong, in San Francisco.

Here is what I want to do.

*Create a directory that allows people to submit their information if they have had their car window broken. The fields could include all relevant information. Car, make and model, location, time of day, what was taken, etc. This data would auto generate a police report.
* Forum for people to discuss their issues and maybe a neighborhood watch program. This could be done Craigslist style, having it separated by districts. Also have advice on most often stolen items, what not to leave in your car, and how to fix defective cars that are easy to break into(for example: Subaru Outback) .

* Create a map to show where car windows are getting broken. Try to find patterns and hotspots.

*Point out places in the city where people are re-selling stolen goods. (Check out 19th and Harrison)

* Reviews on where to get your window fixed along with having a directory of independent contractors that fix windows. (These contractors are generally a lot cheaper and more convenient, but don’t have websites or a marketing budget).

*Blog, someone to write about all the aggregated information on a regular basis that sites like MetroBlogging SF and others could link too. Creating a two way communication channel and a a voice for the site.

All these ideas come out of the frustration of my own experiences.

*You tell the cops and they say they can’t do anything about it.

*People turn a blind eye in the neighborhood to crime and theft. (I am hoping the anonymity of a site can help more people come together)

*It is hard and inconvenient to find someone to fix your window.

*A lot of times items get stolen that are personal and you would pay to get back.

*Seeing broken windows and glass all over the sidewalk makes my stomach hurt.

What is needed:

*Someone to code a map that could work with data, capture info to be filed as a police report, and a whole laundry list of others items.

Who wants to help? It is very obvious how you could make money with a service like this if you rolled it out across multiple cities (alarms, glass repair, car ads, etc.), but I say we shouldn’t get bogged down in business models.

Why should we do it? Because we love the city of San Francisco and we don’t like to see people fucking with it.