Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that the City of Newark has begun a 4-year partnership with Rutgers University–Newark and its School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) to develop and maintain an official citizen-facing mobile application, an official Open Data repository of non-sensitive city data, and an analytics team of graduate students through the Center for Information Management, Integration and Connectivity (CIMIC). The mobile application, called “My Newark” includes the reporting of non-emergency issues, anonymous police tips, current news, and local information. The new Open Data portal is available online at http://data.ci.newark.nj.us and features data on property ownership, 311 calls, permits, and more. The Rutgers CIMIC analytics team of students and faculty will leverage City data to make efficiency recommendations.
“This groundbreaking partnership between Newark and Rutgers University–Newark is about offering 21st Century government services,” said Mayor Baraka. “The mobile app and Open Data site will empower Newark residents, promote transparency, and encourage civic participation. I commend our team and Rutgers on this partnership and look forward to seeing their data expertise improve how we operate.”
“The work we are doing with the City of Newark on this app, Open Data site, and analytics is a collaborative, reciprocal partnership that sharply reflects the role of Rutgers University–Newark as an anchor institution in the city,” said Rutgers University–Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor. “SPAA and the city are pooling their expertise and learning from one another, which greatly increases the impact of their work both individually and collectively. We look forward to many more such collaborations.”
