Metro

City’s snap decision

FLASHBACK: Google’s photo shoot (in yesterday’s Post) had been OK’d by city. (
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City officials collaborated with the Google executives who dispatched Street View cars to photograph Hurricane Sandy-ravaged homes — hoping the shocking images of the devastation would raise awareness and cash.

“For any number of reasons — from appropriating relief money to rebuilding smartly — it’s critical that the unfortunate reality of Hurricane Sandy’s impact on New York City is evident and visible,” a mayoral spokeswoman said in a statement.

“When Google consulted with our administration, we agreed that gathering this visual data and sharing it prudently was an important service they should perform, as they have after other global disasters.

“Google also committed to documenting these same neighborhoods again soon to show the recovery we are confident will be made.”

The city called Google an “important partner” in the relief effort.

On Thursday, The Post spotted Google’s colorful car snapping shots of toppled houses in Staten Island on a block visited by President Obama.

Some residents struggling to rebuild homes called it an invasion of privacy.

“Property values could go down. Why would they take photos now?” said Deborah Gifford, 50, of Bell Harbor.