Learn how to use the county's 'Tell Us Now!' app on April 13
East County News ServiceApril 10, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — We've all been there: you’re driving through somewhere in San Diego County and run over a jagged pothole, spot a flooded culvert or keep seeing the same abandoned vehicle on a street corner.... but the thought of trying to find the right County department to call and report what you see is overwhelming.
The County of San Diego has been working to change that narrative with its "Tell Us Now!" app for mobile phones.
The app has been helping people connect to County services since it first launched in 2017, but to help more residents navigate the digital tool, the office of Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe is hosting a community meeting focused on using the app on Monday, Apreil 13 at the Casa de Oro Library.
The event, from 10 a.m. to noon at the library at 9805 Campo Road in Spring Valley, aims to turn residents into neighborhood advocates, showing exactly how a single photo can spark a government response.
'See It, Snap It, Fix It'
The "Tell Us Now!" app is designed for those on the go.
Instead of navigating complex phone menus, users simpley snap a photo or video of the issue, add a brief description and hit "Submit" to send the data directly into the county’s computer systems.
The app isn't just for road maintenance, drainage issues or abandoned cars. It acts as a direct line to several key departments, covering both unincorporated areas and regionwide concerns like signs; traffic; graffiti; illegal dumping; overcharges at scanners, gas pumps and scales; smoke; odd smells; dust and illegal burns.
The app also offers transparency. Rather than sending a complaint into a "black hole," users can track the progress of their report in real-time.
By providing GPS-tagged photos and specific details, County employees arrive on the scene with the information they need to conduct investigations or make repairs, often resulting in issues being addressed within 72 hours.
Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming session in Casa de Oro to get a hands-on demonstration, where Montgomery Steppe's team members will guide participants through the app’s features and answer questions about jurisdictional boundaries. To register for the meeting click here or visit https://shorturl.at/Gwz1z
The "Tell Us Now!" app is free and available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. It supports both English and Spanish, automatically adjusting based on your smartphone's settings. Visit the county's app website here for more information.