Downriver Today

City governments throughout the Downriver region are facing various adjustments to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 executive orders as they try to keep essential services functioning and the wheels of government turning.

Adjusting to the new normal with social distancing has led to a host of new challenges, even beyond the obvious, according to the News-Herald.

In Grosse Ile, the first virtual city council meeting hit an unexpected snag when it was "Zoom bombed." The practice of "Zoom bombing" involves groups of individuals -- who may be located anywhere in the world -- interrupting video-conferencing calls using the Zoom system, taking advantage of the lax security necessary to hold a public meeting.

“We were alerted to this problem by a Michigan reporter who participated in a Zoom conference that was hijacked,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, according to the News-Herald. “Since then, we have learned of other incidents around the country. There are steps people can take to protect their cybersecurity, and we encourage all users to follow the proper procedures to ensure their teleconferences are secure.”

Federal, local and state authorities have issued warnings that anyone caught for interrupting such meetings using online techniques can be charged with a number of crimes related to both disrupting the proceedings and computer-related crimes.

Yet many municipalities have had relative ease adjusting other services and interactions due to the COVID-19 restrictions, although it often requires a fair amount of work to do so.

Trenton Mayor Steven Rzeppa said the city began preparing for social distancing measures as early as March 12.

“We do what we can on the phone, and we have waived the 3-percent convenience fee for credit card payments made online for taxes and water bills,” Rzeppa said. “Everything has remained operational — including our police and fire. We are fewer in manpower, but we’re doing a good job. This didn’t come with a playbook.”