Handheld Tech Used in Community Service?

jcravens42 asks: "The essay 'Forget the Palm - Give Me The Finger' prompts me to ask if anyone out in slashdot land knows of volunteers/citizens/grass roots advocates using hand held computer or phone devices as part of their community service/volunteering/advocacy. I've found lots of examples where a particular city has given out hand helds to volunteers to report infrastructure and crime problems (abandoned cars, pot holes, etc), but I'm looking for others. I'll share the final list of examples with anyone who wants such."