Mystery Shopper: Being a Poll Worker in Philadelphia

Wondering what it’s like to be a poll worker for an election in Philadelphia? In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper column, a local student shares his experience.

Mystery Shopper: Recovering a Stolen Kia (Screw You, Kia Boyz)

An East Kensington resident was a victim of the “Kia Boyz” car theft trend. Here’s what happened when they tried to get their car back

Mystery Shopper: “Curing” a Ballot at City Hall

One of the 3,400 Philadelphians whose ballots got rejected goes to City Hall to get it replaced. Here’s how that goes.

Mystery Shopper: Getting flood prevention help from the City

A City program is supposed to give free plumbing upgrades to homeowners who experience flooding. But after city sewage pours into a basement, just how hard is it to get the Water Department to install a flood prevention device?

Mystery Shopper: Reporting Illegal Dumping in Philadelphia

Our mystery shopper tried to get just one of the dozens of ugly trash heaps cleared away from their North Philly neighborhood. Here's how well—or not—it went.

Mystery Shopper: Requesting a New Book at the Free Library

If there's a book you want that's not part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s collection, will they add it to the catalogue? In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper series, one of The Citizen’s (many) resident bookworms finds out.

Mystery Shopper: How hard is it to get rid of illegal dumpsters?

Residents of one South Philly block tried for months to get the City to take action against businesses piling garbage on their street. Why is it so hard to get anyone to listen?

Mystery Shopper: How user-friendly is SEPTA’s schedule app?

In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper column, a local student test-drove how easy, or not, it is to navigate the city via SEPTA’s app