Just found the exact form code that got my pothole filled in 4 days
I submitted a 311 request for that crater on Oak Street three times with no results, but after I added 'vehicle damage hazard' in the subject line and attached a photo with a ruler in it, they patched it within 4 days has anyone else tried this.
The ruler trick works because city workers need something to measure the depth so they know if it meets their repair standards. It's the same with most bureaucratic systems - you have to show them exactly what they need to see in the format they expect. Once you learn the little hacks, getting things done just gets way easier.
@xena_bailey18 really nailed it with that description. I actually saw a news piece a while back where a guy did this exact thing with a ruler to prove his sidewalk was sinking more than the city claimed. @carter.joseph to answer your question, yeah you just hold it vertical right next to the crack so the level difference shows clearly. It's amazing how a simple visual fix can save weeks of back and forth.