San Francisco and Oakland public records, reported through dedicated beats: civic complaints and city response, property and rental conditions, economy and data, East Bay transit, Sports & Public Life, schools and youth athletics, parks and recreation access, and culture and community life. Follow-ups belong to the beat that first reported a story, so coverage builds instead of repeating.
Most Better 311 stories start with a primary public record, dataset, public document, or independently verified event. A report from another publication can lead us to a question or add context, but it cannot replace the record behind our own story. When secondary reporting is used, we name and link it. We do not reproduce another publication's distinctive wording, headline, structure, examples, or framing.
Stories are published under the Better 311 byline. Coverage is organized internally by subject area, but Better 311 does not present fictional people as reporters, eyewitnesses, or private-source holders.
Software-assisted research and drafting may be used, followed by editorial review and source checks. Every story identifies what was checked and where the evidence came from. Routine service updates, data briefs, analysis, and developing stories are labeled by format and section.
Every story states its sources and what data it draws on. Analysis is labeled as analysis, never presented as raw fact. If we get something wrong, we correct it publicly and promptly.
Better 311 is independent. We are not a city agency and not affiliated with any government body. Our supporters get no editorial control, no advance access, and no say in findings.
Photos are credited with what they show and where they come from. Illustrations are clearly labeled and are never presented as evidence.
