Photo: Getty Images
The City of Albany has stopped using the SeeClickFix service following a recent court ruling. The New York State Court of Appeals decided that complaints filed through SeeClickFix qualify as prior written notice, which is necessary for suing the city for negligence. This decision arose from a lawsuit by a motorcyclist who crashed on Lark Street in July 2019. He claimed the city was responsible for the road defect he reported through SeeClickFix. The court sided with the motorcyclist, stating that the SeeClickFix system was the city's sole method for recording road defect reports.
Mayor Kathy Sheehan explained that the city deactivated the website and app to avoid potential legal liabilities that could cost taxpayers millions of dollars. She emphasized that SeeClickFix was intended for non-emergency issues, not urgent situations like sinkholes. Residents can now report non-emergency issues by calling 518-434-2489.
Paul Harding, a lawyer for the motorcyclist, criticized the city's decision, arguing that the community needs a way to communicate dangerous issues. The city is working with the City Council to potentially reinstate SeeClickFix while complying with legal requirements. The New York Conference of Mayors is reviewing the court's decision to provide guidance on crafting local laws that define "written notice" and allow the use of platforms like SeeClickFix.