Twitter

[subman]

I am in the process of launching a Twitter account called "LACoSurveyor". My plan is to provide information to customers that wish to follow the content. Initially I plan to tweet information daily on maps that recorded the previous day. The tweet would include a link to our web page that would show a weekly running summary of maps recorded over the past week. As pdf files of the maps get entered into our "Land Records" website (two to three day lag), a live link would be provided to that map. In addition, I would like to provide a link that would utilize Google Maps to show the geographical location of the recorded maps (green flag). Over time this would show a trend within the County where development is occurring. We also have an online application for issuing new tract and parcel map numbers. A tweet would also be sent out when new map numbers are issued. They to would show up as a flag (red) on a Google Map. Likewise, when a Tentative map application is filed, a yellow flag would be placed on the Google Map. At first I see the land surveyor community being the primary customer base, but over time I think homeowner associations and property owners as well as real estate interests would follow the tweets to see where subdivision activity is occurring throughout the County and what trend is developing (greenfield, redevelopment, density increases, etc). I think the possibilities are endless as we develop more online content. The goal is to automate a good number of these information tweets and hopefully cut down on phone calls and counter inquiries to free up staff to focus on map checking and reduce turnaround time.

Eventually, I plan on encouraging adjoiners and neighbors to tweet back with site photos, code enforcement issues on the property and known boundary concerns.

I am interested in your ideas and what other type of land surveying information you would be interested in receiving if such a system were in place within your local jurisdiction. Thanks in advance!

[Sunburned_Surveyor]

I applaud your efforst subman, even though I don't work down south. Using technology to better communicate with the public and surveying community is great. I wish more agencies had this type of willingness to use technology.

Even a frequently updated web site with the status of submitted documents and link to PDF copies would be cool.

The Sunburned Surveyor (PLS 8489)

[Ben Lund]

Well done Dennis! This is the coolest technological advance for an agency the I know of.

[subman]

Our Twitter feed is now up and working. If you follow LACoSurveyor on Twitter, you will now receive an automatic daily tweet listing the tract and parcel maps within Los Angeles County, including all 88 cities, that recorded the previous day. It will also include a link to our Digital Map Records (DMR) web page. The DMR web page has been enhanced and it will go live on Tuesday. Our goal is to have active links for each recorded map to download a scanned pdf file within 2 to 3 days after recording. For those of you that belong to the Twitter social network, check us out! In the coming week, we will be sending out an email notice/invitation to about 2,500 Los Angeles area land development consultants (surveyors, engineers, planners etc) from our email database to spread the word.

Enjoy...

[Jim Frame]

"Our Twitter feed is now up and working. If you follow LACountySurveyor on Twitter"

Note that the actual Twitter handle is LACoSurveyor.

.

[Rob_LS]

Nice use of technology SubMan!

[subman]

Some nice press on our new Twitter account, LACoSurveyor. This CLSA forum is mentioned in the article!


http://www.govtech.com/gt/766480

[subman]

Just received word today that our LACoSurveyor Twitter Program won a 2011 NACo Achievment Award! Very pleased.

[pls7809]

Congrats Dennis!

[NickL]

Good job, Dennis! That looks like a great way to disseminate information.

I REALLY like your online records database. Hopefully more agencies will jump on board and increase their accessibility through online means. LA County's model is great and people should pay it a visit, even if they do not work in that area, just to see what a nice job they've done.

[subman]

Nick

Steve Steinhoff, head of our Survey operations gets all the kudos for the Land Records website. I agree. It is a great resource!