Portsmouth app aims to centralize events, resources; developer says app stores approval expected within three weeks

Lee Dear, founder of Mobile Photo Lab, demonstrated the Portsmouth United web/app to the Portsmouth Crime and Gun Violence Prevention Task Force on Oct. 6, saying the mobile version is live and that he anticipates Apple and Google approval within roughly three weeks.

The app consolidates city resources, event listings, short videos and a calendar and includes links to the city’s real‑time crime reporting and SeeClickFix tools. "We're simply waiting on Google and, Apple to approve it in the Play Store," Dear said. He described push notifications, a local weather feed, an events calendar and a video channel that will feature footage gathered by Mobile Photo Lab and student producers from IC Norcom.

Task force members pressed on how the app will be kept current and how organizations will be chosen for inclusion. "We went through the list of the Portsmouth United CBOs. So that's what we put in there as of right now," Dear said, adding that a sign‑up questionnaire can be used to vet additional organizations. Several members recommended an objective inclusion standard so the platform does not appear to pick or exclude groups arbitrarily.

Members also focused on youth engagement and content moderation. Daryl Redmond and others urged recruiting young content creators and featuring high school sports recaps and short videos to draw younger users; Dear said he is working with IC Norcom and has already captured some football game footage for short recaps. On moderation, the presenter said social posting is currently disabled; content is curated and moderated by his team. "Right now that feature is not available. It's a somewhat one‑sided conversation at this point because the videos ... are controlled and those are moderated," Dear said, and added that moderation is handled by his team until a broader plan is in place.

Accessibility and data storage were raised. Dear said the project is a web‑based app so users with limited device storage can access content without downloading, and that signing up is optional. When asked where data are stored, he said, "Right now it's being stored on our on our servers." Members noted public‑records, archiving and privacy questions that the city will need to resolve if the app becomes an official city channel.

Next steps set at the meeting included: coordination with city marketing staff to avoid duplication, development of an objective vetting process for partner organizations, adding or clarifying resource categories members requested (including distinct mental‑health and medical resource categories), and advancing the app store approvals. Dear told the task force the team will update the app content and markups per the committee’s feedback and that he will follow up on linking with school district resources and the city website.

Votes at a glance: the meeting included routine procedural motions — approval of the Aug. minutes and adoption of the Oct. 6 agenda — that were approved by voice vote.

The task force will continue to advise on marketing, moderation and youth‑focused content as the app’s public rollout proceeds.