Cross Gates Safety/Security News (Blog)

From your CGHOA board,

After talking to many of our residents and attending the Parish Utility Workgroup meeting, we have decided out of an abundance of caution to make sure you are fully aware of the events pertaining to our drinking water system. We would like to offer proper contact information and ask that you please report all health issues that you and your family may have experienced due to a possible water system contamination on 3/20 – 4/14. The following information has been provided by two of our residents. We ask you to read over it carefully and please feel free to contact us at mycrossgates@gmail.com or our website with any questions you may have.

From Our Neighbors Mr. Binder and Mrs. Polo Fronistas,

On March 26th Tammany Utilities identified a force main sewer leak under Gause Blvd. Subsequent to the discovery of this breach, several residents who test their own water reported that monochloramine levels, the chemical used to treat our drinking water for sanitation purposes, was no longer testing in the normal range. Tammany Utilities and the Louisiana Department of Health were notified of the low monochloramine levels. 

On 4/1 Louisiana Department of Health officials came to Cross Gates to test the water. They found the monochloramine levels were below the recommended values for proper treatment of a drinking water system.

On 4/1 Louisiana Department of Health issued Tammany Utilities the attached Notice of Violation. 

The residents continued to report low chlorine residual through 4/6, and on 4/9 The Louisiana Department of Health returned for more extensive testing. Again, LDH issued Tammany Utilities the attached Notice of Violation on 4/9. 

The residents who reported the low monochloramine levels attended the 4/12 Utility Work Group meeting in the Council Chambers on Koop Dr. A link to watch the meeting in its entirety is found here (fast forward to the 30-minute mark to skip to the Cross Gates discussion): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNjLGj_Ppa8

The Advocate was present at the meeting and Mrs. Pagones,
Northshore Bureau Chief, published the following article prior to the meeting:
https://www.nola.com/news/environment/water_ways/article_698cf95a-9bb4-11eb-a1cc-83ce32ff8e2d.html

At a Utility Work Group meeting on 4/12 It was presented that there was a possibility of the drinking water being cross-contaminated. The possible cross-contamination could have caused a range of illnesses in our subdivision from 3/20 – 4/14. The illnesses reported across this time period were gastrointestinal issues for humans and pets, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, ear infections, UTIs in males, females, and children as well as a host of other illnesses attributable to the possible contamination of drinking water.

Slidell Independent wrote the following article on April 16th:
https://www.slidell-independent.com/residents-blast-parish-officials-for-sewer-leak/?fbclid=IwAR181A8vbzA0e132rhoY4yS-VNvgFnAKc8ezDrGa7du4c-rpykJR_j9MgNw

On April 14th Mrs. Pagones ran a second article following the utility work group meeting:
https://www.nola.com/news/environment/water_ways/article_cc98fbf6-9c64-11eb-a3a1-fba7281b4730.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

We received the following information from Jacob Haffner at LDH:
“For future complaints and inquiries, please direct your emails to either me or my regional staff, Tessa (our regional sanitarian manager), or our engineering staff listed below:

Jacob Haffner (225) 342-7363 - Jacob.Haffner@la.gov
Tessa Dixon (985-543-4953) – Tessa.dixon@la.gov
Eric Brown (985-543-4952) – eric.brown@la.gov
Corey Harris (985-543-4957) – corey.harris@la.gov

Also, our Epidemiological Section is aware of the situation at Cross Gates and is monitoring and analyzing data.  So, for health complaints, Raychel Berkheimer is the contact for the Epi Section and her contact information is:

Raychel Berkheimer, MPH
Waterborne Disease Coordinator
Louisiana Office of Public Health
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
1450 Poydras St., Suite 1641
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-568-8307
Fax: 504-568-8290
24 Hour: 1-800-256-2748
Email: raychel.berkheimer@la.gov
www.dhh.la.gov/idepi ”

The group of residents that discovered the low monochloramine levels have a Facebook page you can join if you wish to learn more details at “TU East Slidell Citizens Group”.

LDH Notices of Violation:

April 1, 2021 NOV

April 9, 2021 NOV page 1

April 9, 2021 NOV page 2

I wanted to give you and the neighborhood a heads up for our yearly charity event - the CG Fit Fest (formerly known as the Fall Fitness Festival). Every Fall, we hold this outdoor event to benefit local cancer patients and the SMH Cancer Center.

This year's event will be next Saturday, October 19th. Nearby houses may hear music from the event between 8-10:30am.

Would you mind please letting the HOA and neighborhood know? Please also extend an invitation for us! We'd love to have anyone who'd like to participate :D

Jake Berman

Executive Manager

(985) 685-1455

CrossGatesClub.com

200 N. Military Rd.

From Parish Councilman Gene Bellisario:

The Facts about potential flooding in your area

To my constituents,

There has been misinformation about the w15 project that I would like to correct,

Drainage engineers – experts -- designed this project, and it was vetted & approved by local, state and federal agencies.

A 42-acre retention pond has been designed to hold back the rain north of us during a rain event, and will gradually release the water over time -- at the same or lower rate than what happens now.

Again, the project is not designed to flood you.

For questions and concerns, please contact District 9 Parish Councilman Gene Bellisario, at bayouduo97@charter.net, or 985-788-8186.

Thank you.

The Transportation Security Administration announced today that it has begun verbally advising travelers who present non-compliant licenses of the upcoming REAL ID requirement and enforcement date. Beginning October 1, 2020, each traveler must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of identification, to fly within the United States. Individuals who are unable to verify their identity will not be permitted to enter the TSA checkpoint and will not be allowed to fly.

“The security requirements of the REAL ID Act are an important step in enhancing commercial aviation security,” said TSA Acting Deputy Administrator Patricia Cogswell. “REAL ID implementation is a little more than a year away – now is the time to prepare.”

Since April, TSA has displayed signs at airports to remind travelers that REAL ID-compliant licenses or other acceptable forms of ID, such as a state-issued enhanced driver’s license, a valid passport, or U.S. military ID, will be mandatory for air travel beginning on October 1, 2020. REAL ID-compliant licenses are marked by a star on the top of the card. Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota and New York states issue REAL ID and state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses, both of which are acceptable. Washington state issues enhanced driver’s licenses only. These documents will be accepted at the airport security checkpoint when the REAL ID enforcement goes into effect. Travelers who are not sure if their state-issued ID is compliant should check with their state driver’s license agency.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act complies with the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as at airport security checkpoints. The regulations established the deadline of October 1, 2020, to ensure full enforcement of the REAL ID Act. States have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.

For more information about flying with a REAL ID and to download and print informational materials, visit tsa.gov/real-id.

Privacy Awareness Week

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released an announcement promoting Privacy Awareness Week (PAW). PAW is an annual event fostering awareness of privacy issues and the importance of protecting personal information. This year’s theme, “Protecting Privacy is Everyone’s Responsibility,” focuses on promoting privacy awareness for consumers and businesses.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages consumers and organizations to review FTC’s post and consider the following practices to protect privacy and safeguard data:

• Use and maintain anti-virus software and a firewall.
• Regularly scan your computer for spyware.
• Keep software up to date.
• Remove unused apps and software programs.
• Use strong passwords and encrypt sensitive files.
• Follow good security habits.

Staying Cyber Safe During Memorial Day

Original release date: May 20, 2019

As Memorial Day approaches, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reminds users to stay cyber safe. Users should be cautious of potential scams, such as unsolicited emails that contain malicious links or attachments with malware. Users should also be aware of the risks associated with online shopping and traveling with mobile devices.

CISA recommends users review the following tips for information on how to guard against these risks:

• Using Caution with Email Attachments
• Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks
• Cybersecurity for Electronic Devices
• Shopping Safely Online
• Holiday Traveling with Personal Internet-Enabled Devices

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released an article with tips for parents to keep their children safe online.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages consumers to review the FTC article and the following additional resources for more information:

• Keeping Children Safe Online
• Rethink Cyber Safety Rules and the “Tech Talk” with Your Teens
• Stop.Think.Connect. Toolkit
• Stay Safe Online
• Concerned Parent’s Internet Safety Toolbox

All:

The following is a text message from Tim Brown, Director of Environmental Services.

Tammany Utilities will issue a B W A for 23 homes in your area. They will be putting up door hangers to the affected properties.

Leak at fire hydrant at 313 N. Buckingham. Had to turn water off to 23 residents. Will be putting up door hangers. Email with notice to follow. Please forward to HOA. Thx

Heavy winds recently caused a tree to fall on Cross Gates Blvd, which created a public safety issue. The fallen tree completely blocked one lane of Cross Gates Blvd.

Cross Gates residents and I want to thank local fireman, Sheriff’s Deputy and Public Works employees for their fast action this past Thursday evening. I would like to recognize the team effort which solved the public safety issue. Cross Gates resident, Lynne Hanson contacted me and I contacted a fire official who dispatched firemen from the Steele Road Station #14. Within 20 minutes they, working with a Sheriff’s Deputy, pushed the tree off the roadway to help traffic flow.

A separate call was made to Parish Public Works and the Area Leader and a worker cut the tree into smaller pieces. Public Works will send a work crew to remove the debris from the median. I want to thank these public servants for working very quickly to remove a public safety issue and allow citizens to travel through the area without any safety concerns.

Gene Bellisario, Parish Council District 9

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware threat actors use to infect computers and encrypt computer files until a ransom is paid. (See Protecting Against Malicious Codefor more information on malware.) After the initial infection, ransomware will attempt to spread to connected systems, including shared storage drives and other accessible computers.

If the threat actor’s ransom demands are not met (i.e., if the victim does not pay the ransom), the files or encrypted data will usually remain encrypted and unavailable to the victim. Even after a ransom has been paid to unlock encrypted files, threat actors will sometimes demand additional payments, delete a victim’s data, refuse to decrypt the data, or decline to provide a working decryption key to restore the victim’s access. The Federal Government does not support paying ransomware demands. (See the FBI’s ransomware article.)

What can I do to prevent ransomware infections?

• Update and patch your computer. Ensure your applications and operating systems (OSs) have been updated with the latest patches. Vulnerable applications and OSs are the target of most ransomware attacks. (See Understanding Patches and Software Updates.)
• Use caution with links and when entering website addresses. Be careful when clicking directly on links in emails, even if the sender appears to be someone you know. Attempt to independently verify website addresses (e.g., contact your organization's helpdesk, search the internet for the sender organization’s website or the topic mentioned in the email). Pay attention to the website addresses you click on, as well as those you enter yourself. Malicious website addresses often appear almost identical to legitimate sites, often using a slight variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com instead of .net). (See Using Caution with Email Attachments.)
• Open email attachments with caution. Be wary of opening email attachments, even from senders you think you know, particularly when attachments are compressed files or ZIP files.
• Keep your personal information safe. Check a website’s security to ensure the information you submit is encrypted before you provide it. (See Protecting Your Privacy.)
• Verify email senders. If you are unsure whether or not an email is legitimate, try to verify the email’s legitimacy by contacting the sender directly. Do not click on any links in the email. If possible, use a previous (legitimate) email to ensure the contact information you have for the sender is authentic before you contact them.
• Inform yourself. Keep yourself informed about recent cybersecurity threats and up to date on ransomware techniques. You can find information about known phishing attacks on the Anti-Phishing Working Group website. You may also want to sign up for CISA product notifications, which will alert you when a new Alert, Analysis Report, Bulletin, Current Activity, or Tip has been published.
• Use and maintain preventative software programs. Install antivirus software, firewalls, and email filters—and keep them updated—to reduce malicious network traffic. (See Understanding Firewalls for Home and Small Office Use.)

Click here for more details: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST19-001