Norwich to safeguard Zoom meetings

City manager wants hosts to take precautions against disruptions

Norwich — City Manager John Salomone will recommend that all city boards, commissions and committees using the internet platform Zoom to take precautions against disruptions by people “bombing” the meetings with inappropriate or vulgar remarks.

The City Council Public Safety Committee was the target of a so- called Zoom bombing last Thursday, when several individuals used either the video feed or teleconference number to interrupt the meeting with racist and sexist comments. Committee Chairman Alderman Joseph DeLucia abruptly adjourned the meeting.

During the meeting, DeLucia attempted to mute and remove intruders, but others signed in as he tried to remove the first group.

City police Chief Patrick

Daley said police are awaiting receipt of a copy of the Public Safety Committee video and audio to investigate the incident.

Salomone said he is recommending all city Zoom meeting hosts limit the video link invitation to meeting participants only, and ask public participants to use a telephone call-in. He suggested callers be placed in the virtual “waiting room,” with phone lines muted until the public comment portion of the meeting.

If meetings include onscreen presentations, Salomone recommended that commissions post the documents, video slides or other materials on the city website along with the agenda so the public can follow along with the presentations.

“That’s the downside,” Salomone said of limiting public viewing of the meeting presentations. “You have to balance the ability to show something with the ability to see the presentation. You could put the presentation on a webpage for people to view.”