Enhancing Community Engagement in Norwalk with Ascendant's SMS Solution
Introduction
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors represents nearly 10 million residents throughout Los Angeles County. Each member represents approximately 2 million residents. The Board of Supervisors oversees a wide range of issues affecting the county, from public safety to waste management.
Background on Chiquita Canyon Landfill
Chiquita Canyon Landfill, located in Castaic, California, has been a critical waste management site serving Los Angeles County for several decades. The landfill accepts non-hazardous solid waste and has undergone several expansions to accommodate the growing waste disposal needs of the county. However, in recent years, the landfill has been at the center of controversy due to concerns over environmental impacts, including odor issues, increased traffic, and potential health risks for nearby residents. Community members have expressed significant concerns, prompting the County to take action to address and communicate about these issues effectively.
The Challenge
The Board of Supervisors faced a significant challenge when dealing with the Chiquita Landfill issue, which posed serious concerns to the residents living in and around the landfill area. Traditional methods of communication, such as mailers and public meetings, were not efficient for urgent matters. The County needed a rapid and direct means of communicating critical information to a specific group of residents
The Solution
To meet this urgent need, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted Ascendant App’s GovText solution. This innovative platform provided the capability to quickly and efficiently send targeted text messages to residents around the Chiquita Landfill in multiple languages. Even though the County did not initially have their mobile numbers. Ascendant App was able to procure the necessary contact information as well.
Key features of the GovText platform included
Two-Way Engagement: Residents could respond to the messages, allowing for interactive communication with government staff.
- Local Area Code: Messages were sent from a local area code, which increased the likelihood of residents opening and trusting the messages.
- Text Alert Sign-Up: User-friendly web forms enabled residents to sign up for text alerts, integrating seamlessly with existing websites and offering quick setup and easy maintenance.
Implementation
The initial campaign was meticulously planned and targeted residents within a half-mile radius of Chiquita Canyon. Ascendant App procured 1,200 mobile numbers for this campaign. Within 24 hours, the County successfully sent out two sets of text messages to these residents, providing them with critical information related to the landfill issue.
The Results
Ascendant SMS campaign yielded impressive results
High Engagement
Out of the 1,200 text messages sent, nearly 90 percent were successfully delivered and received by residents.
Increased Participation
The high delivery and open rates underscored the effectiveness of the text message campaign in reaching and engaging the community.
Enhanced Communication
The two-way engagement feature enabled residents to interact directly with city staff, significantly improving the overall communication process.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors now has a reliable and direct communication channel with its residents, setting a precedent for other counties and municipalities facing similar challenges.
Conclusion
The implementation of Ascendant App’s GovText solution proved to be a game-changer for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. It provided a swift, efficient, and cost-effective method to communicate vital information to residents, particularly in urgent situations. The success of this initiative demonstrated the potential of modern communication tools in enhancing civic engagement and responsiveness.