The City Of New Orleans Web Portal

The City of New Orleans launched its new Web site in March of this year in order to offer better service to its citizens who, in the midst of recovery, require more interaction with government than ever before. This need has given birth to a citizen-driven Web site that supplies vital information, user-friendly services, and community planning and rebuilding information.

The Mayor’s Office of Technology looks at public value in terms of the means to enhance the relationship between government and its citizens, and ultimately assist the public at-large, including our ability to spark more economic development within the community. Often these measures are subjective, but in the midst of recovery, we see Web services as a vital component of rebuilding communities.

Contact: Robert Springmann, PMP
Project Manager
1515 Poydras Street, Suite 2640 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 

or the CityofNO.com Webmaster

CITY’S WEB PORTAL FINALIST FOR THE 2008 BEST OF THE WEB ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The City of New Orleans is among the finalists of the 2008 Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement Awards given by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and was honored for its Web Portal at the 12th annual Awards Gala on Sept.12 in Hollywood, Calif. According to the CDG official release, “Best of the Web recognizes the most innovative, user-friendly state and local government portals while the Digital Government Achievement Award recognizes outstanding agency and department Web sites and applications. Judges from all over the nation determined the winners.”

While the Web Team is pleased with the Center for Digital Government’s recognition, we will continue to apply the latest in innovation and analyze the unique needs of our citizens so that we can develop an even stronger Web site for our citizens.

For more information, visit the Center for Digital Government website.

NOPD Applications

The primary role of NOPD Special Projects is to manage technology as it pertains to the NOPD. By evaluating department needs and devising software solutions we can give the NOPD modern tools that improve efficiency, increase inter- and intra-departmental data sharing, and facilitate good police work. Secondary roles include removing technology barriers, training law enforcement, and continually finding areas of improvement.

In an increasingly database-oriented world, knowledge is power. So it is our goal not only to provide the NOPD with electronic workflow processes, but also the ability to manage and analyze its data stores. By devising sophisticated applications and reporting tools, this knowledge becomes power for making smart, effective tactical strategies. In this way we can make the city a safer place for all its citizens.

The following projects have been initiated in 2008: 

Source-Code Control
Implemented a system for managing NOPD’s custom-code library. Provides revision control so application changes can be tracked and rolled back if necessary. This protects the city’s investment in its software solutions.


EPR-Windows
Identified and resolved over 30 defects in the Windows-based version of Electronic Police Reports. Deployed application to NOPD desktops and squad cars. EPR gives officers the ability to file police incident reports electronically, which maintains accuracy and provides statistical reporting abilities.


EPR-Web (in progress)
Re-designed the EPR database backend and application front-end, creating a more-stable system and an easier-to-user interface. Designed for inter and intra-departmental data-sharing. Makes writing reports easier and less time-consuming.


Police Report Search
Designed and deployed a tool for department searching of specific incident reports.


Automatic Vehicle Locator
Designed and deployed a tool for near-real-time monitoring of NOPD squad cars equipped with GPS-based tracking devices. Allows supervisors in the force to keep track of where their officers are deployed.


Field Interview Card
Designed and deployed a tool for officers to record non-arrest incidents. This system stores details about subjects and vehicles, which may be pulled up at a later time via a custom search tool. Helps provide the department with data for pattern recognition and lead procurement.


Database Upgrades
Upgraded all of the NOPD’s application databases to SQL Server 2005, a stable and high-performing enterprise database architecture.


Data Recovery Plan
Devised a data-backup plan for all NOPD databases, ensuring their portability in the event of disaster and minimizing downtime.

Contact: NOPD Special Projects
Matt Del Vecchio, Technical Project Manager
1515 Poydras Street, Suite 2640
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

Emergency Applications

CITIZEN ASSISTED EVACUATION PLAN (CAEP)

The CAEP Online serves as an independent, city-owned program that allows citizens to pre-register for the City Assisted Evacuation Plan. It consists of two separate applications, one for citizens and one for administrators, city officials, and emergency responders.

With the user application, citizens can either register themselves online or they can do so with the assistance of a City operator over the phone. The administrator applications allow users to record, process, and track citizens needing and receiving evacuation assistance through this plan. To learn more about CAEP or to pre-register, call 311.


HOMELAND SECURITY RE-ENTRY AUTHORIZATION

The Web and Application Development team worked in conjunction with Homeland Security to create a Web application to facilitate the Post-Disaster Phased Re-Entry Plan in the event of a natural or man-made disaster where an official Emergency Declaration and Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued and remains in effect. This technology allows Emergency Preparedness officials to provide authorization on multi-tiered levels and creates a database to streamline the business processing of these applications.

To apply for a Re-entry placard, visit the Office of Emergency Preparedness Web portal.
Contact: Robert Springmann, PMP
Project Manager
1515 Poydras Street, Suite 2640 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112