The historic Borough of Haddonfield, New Jersey (population 12,000) needed a reliable way to reach residents during emergencies and time-sensitive situations. Previously reliant on social media for community updates, Haddonfield implemented GOGov's citizen notification platform to deliver real-time alerts directly to residents' mobile devices. The Haddonfield Happenings app proved essential during a July 2023 microburst storm, keeping residents informed about fallen trees, power outages, and road closures. After three years of use, residents consistently express gratitude for the immediacy and transparency the platform provides. This case study explores how a small, historic community uses modern technology to strengthen communication and build trust.

About the Borough of Haddonfield

Founded in 1713 by Elizabeth Haddon—a determined 19-year-old who journeyed from England to Philadelphia before traveling by canoe to the land her father had purchased—Haddonfield is a community deeply rooted in early American history. The Borough played a meaningful role during the Revolutionary War, most notably as home to the historic Indian King Tavern. Now a New Jersey State–run museum, the Tavern once served as the meeting place for the New Jersey Legislature and is recognized as the birthplace of New Jersey statehood.

Just eight miles from Philadelphia, Haddonfield blends small-town charm with metropolitan convenience. The Borough offers easy access to mass transit into the city while maintaining its identity as a close-knit, walkable community. Home to roughly 12,000 residents within 2.2 square miles, Haddonfield is known for its strong civic engagement, historic pride, and welcoming, tree-lined streets.

Its vibrant downtown—filled with locally loved shops, restaurants, and community traditions—continues to make Haddonfield a standout destination for both residents and visitors seeking history, culture, and a classic small-town feel just minutes from the city.

What was the Challenge That Brought Haddonfield to GOGov?

Before partnering with GOGov, Haddonfield relied primarily on social media to share updates with the community. While it worked for general information, it wasn't a reliable or efficient way to reach residents during urgent or time-sensitive situations. The Borough lacked a dedicated platform for real-time notifications, whether for emergencies, road closures, community updates, or event announcements.

Seeking a more streamlined and mobile-focused communication tool, the Commissioners set out to find a solution that could keep both residents and local businesses consistently informed.

Discovering GOGov

The Borough discovered GOGov through research and soon connected with the GOGov team over Zoom. During the demonstration, the Commissioners were drawn to the platform's simplicity, ease of use, and clean, intuitive design. It quickly became clear that GOGov's tools aligned perfectly with Haddonfield's communication goals, making it the ideal partner to enhance the Borough's ability to reach the community in real time.

Implementation Experience

Haddonfield's onboarding with GOGov was smooth and fully supported. The Borough's Communications Officer, Joana McDonnell, managed the setup, including the Apple Developer account, while GOGov guided the team every step of the way.

"The team provided ready-to-use graphics and practical advice, which made onboarding incredibly easy," said McDonnell.

Current GOGov Usage

The Borough uses GOGov's Citizen Notifications feature through its mobile app Haddonfield Happenings to share emergency alerts, road closures, community events, and seasonal updates like leaf collection. The platform quickly became central to day-to-day communication with residents and businesses.

Real-World Impact: Emergency Response During the 2023 Microburst Storm

The app also proved essential during the July 4, 2023, microburst storm, when the Borough sent continuous updates about fallen trees, downed power lines, and flooded roads.

"Many residents expressed their gratitude for receiving real-time information during such a disruptive event," McDonnell noted.

Advice to Other Municipalities Considering GOGov

Haddonfield has used Haddonfield Happenings for three years, and residents consistently express appreciation for the immediacy of notifications and the transparency it provides.

"GOGov has helped us connect with residents in ways that are clear, timely, and trusted. It has strengthened our communications with stakeholders and reinforced transparency across the Borough," said Joana McDonnell, Communications Director.

For other municipalities considering GOGov, Haddonfield's experience demonstrates how a dedicated communication platform can enhance engagement, streamline messaging, and build trust with the community.

Your Municipality Powered by GOGov

GOGov is committed to helping municipalities and local governments enhance community engagement, streamline operations, and foster transparent communication. Our partnership with Haddonfield demonstrates the potential of our solutions to make a meaningful impact on local governments and districts of all sizes, and our continued efforts to improve and innovate further.  

GOGov specializes in providing CRM, Code Enforcement, Citizen Notifications, Online Permitting and mobile software to local governments of all sizes. We built our software from the ground up working with the departments and staff that now use our products every single day.

Interested in learning more? Sign up for a free demo

‍