Anaheim wants to know if there's an app for that

"It's a Small World" attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim. The city is looking for some help with apps. Credit: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times.

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle wants to use phone and computer apps to improve his city. But instead of calling on software developers to create imaginative apps, he initiated a public competition.

Any U.S. resident over the age of 16 is encouraged to submit an app idea to The Great Anaheim Apps Challenge, which began at the beginning of the month and ends on Nov. 30. Winners will be determined in of each of the following five categories: water and power, parks and recreation, public safety, tourism/sports/entertainment and anything Anaheim.

If improving Mickey Mouse's city is not motivation enough to participate in this competition, the city will give $5,000 in cash and gift prizes to the victors. They will be announced on Jan. 5.

So far, the city has received more than 300 submissions, including an app that would provide online train schedules and real-time status alerts. Another proposed app would display photos of situations that require a city response, such as a car crash or a building defaced by graffiti.

Contest details can be found at www.AnaheimApps.org.

-- Melissa Rohlin