Irys App – Supporting Civic Communication in the State of New Jersey and Nantucket

Problem

In municipalities across the State of New Jersey and on the island of Nantucket, local governments faced increasing pressure to respond more efficiently to the concerns of residents. Challenges such as outdated reporting systems, communication gaps between departments, and a lack of transparency limited the ability of public agencies to track, manage, and resolve everyday issues. Residents frequently encounter long delays or no updates after submitting service requests through phone calls or online forms.

These communication barriers were especially problematic during emergencies or peak seasons. On Nantucket, for example, the seasonal influx of visitors strained public services and infrastructure. In several communities across New Jersey, limited digital infrastructure prevented residents from engaging fully with local government. Officials needed a modern, centralized platform to receive real-time input from the public, improve internal coordination, and respond quickly to evolving community needs.

Solution

To meet these challenges, municipalities across New Jersey and the Town of Nantucket partnered with Irys to implement a customized version of the Irys App. Irys worked directly with government leaders and community stakeholders to create a bilingual, browser-based and mobile-compatible system that would serve as a digital bridge between residents and public agencies.

Residents can use the Irys App to report issues such as road damage, public works concerns, and sanitation requests. Each report includes photos, location data, and specific descriptions, allowing departments to route the concern to the correct personnel. Residents receive status updates and can track progress through the same platform, creating a transparent and consistent user experience.

Irys’s contribution was central to the deployment and success of the platform. The company provided technical support, tailored the app’s interface to local workflows, and conducted training sessions for both city staff and community members. By prioritizing accessibility and user experience, Irys ensured that the app could be used on a wide range of devices without requiring any downloads. This was particularly important in communities with limited access to traditional mobile apps or advanced digital tools.

The Irys Dashboard enables staff to organize and analyze incoming reports, manage work orders, and monitor response metrics. City leaders can view interactive maps, heat zones, and analytics to make informed decisions and allocate resources where they are needed most.

Results

Since adopting the Irys platform, participating communities in New Jersey and Nantucket have seen measurable improvements in service delivery and community satisfaction. Government departments have reported faster response times, reduced administrative backlog, and better interdepartmental coordination.

On Nantucket, the app played a critical role in managing seasonal public concerns by providing a real-time feedback loop between visitors, residents, and municipal staff. In New Jersey, several townships used the app to support public works operations, neighborhood safety efforts, and civic outreach campaigns.

Residents reported increased confidence in their local governments and a greater willingness to engage with city staff. The ease of access, bilingual interface, and clear feedback system helped reduce communication gaps and strengthen trust between communities and public agencies.

Quotes/Testimonials:

"The Irys App gave us a smart and reliable way to stay connected with our residents. It made our operations more efficient and helped us listen and respond to people in real time. Irys was a true partner in this process."
– Michael Salazar, Municipal Innovation Lead, State of New Jersey

Sustainable Development Goals Contribution

• Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation
  Strengthened municipal operations through a digital system that supports timely and transparent service delivery.
• Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
  Enabled local governments to better address community issues and plan public service improvements.
• Reduce inequality within and among countries
  Provided equitable access to civic engagement tools through bilingual, device-agnostic technology.
• ‍Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development
  ‍Fostered open communication and transparency between local governments and residents across diverse communities.