PRESS RELEASE

The City of Long Beach is committed to serving the public while its systems and main website are offline for mitigation purposes following a network security incident. Departments have been providing updates to the community, customers and partners by phone, email and via social media to keep them informed on interim operational changes. As the situation evolves, the Technology and Innovation Department is identifying solutions in partnership with other City departments to continue City services while some systems are offline.

The information below is as of Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. Most core City services are unaffected by the network security incident and will continue to operate as usual. Those services include:

Public Safety and emergency services, including the Fire and Police Departments and Emergency Communications Center
Long Beach Airport
Street sweeping
Refuse and recycling collection
Flu and COVID-19 vaccine administration
Gas Dispatch and Water Dispatch Centers remain open 24/7; people may report a gas leak at 562.570.2140. To report a water leak, people may call 562.570.2390

Utility billing late fees and shutoffs for non-payment have been suspended. The Utility Call Center is currently down, and customers will be unable to make payments online, over the phone, or at any previously established offsite locations. All previously scheduled customer service operations will continue but could be delayed.

Library locations remain open, and people can check out and check in books using an offline circulation. Digital amenities, such as e-books, public computers and printers, and catalog searches are not currently available.

Online registration for Parks, Recreation and Marine classes is not available but people may enroll in person by visiting the department’s administrative offices at 2760 N. Studebaker Rd. during business hours. Facility reservations also need to be handled in person.

Long Beach Animal Care Services continues to offer pet adoptions and licenses.

The Health and Human Services Department is still connecting people experiencing homelessness with services and shelter via the Multi-Service Center and Mobile Access Centers, and the REACH line is still taking calls during normal business hours. Homeless outreach also continues. The Resource Line is currently experiencing issues receiving live calls, but if people leave a voicemail Resource Navigators will return their call. Environmental Health is able to continue operations, but working around the systems issue is causing delays. Some records related to permit fees are not currently available.

The City-run COVID-19 testing clinic at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park will be switching to rapid testing only until the system is restored.

The Go Long Beach mobile app is operational but the public can expect a slight delay to service fulfillment and Public Works permit application approvals will experience minor delays.

People may visit the Community Development Department Permit Center at City Hall (411 W. Ocean Blvd.) for permit and license drop-in services, but all online permit and license systems are currently unavailable. Depending on the transaction size and type, Permit Center customers may be able to make payments by cash, check or credit card using a third-party service provider. In some instances, there may be the option to defer payment to a later time.

Previously scheduled inspections are being honored and new inspections are being handled by phone request at 562.570.LBCD (5223). While the department is maintaining permitting operations for those who need immediate assistance, some delays may be experienced during this time. For all permitting needs that can wait until after the Thanksgiving holiday, customers are encouraged to consider waiting until Nov. 27 to submit a new request.

While there have not been any major service disruptions at this point to the many services the City provides, as the City works to resolve this incident, in some cases the public may experience some delays with non-emergency systems and services, and the City appreciates the public’s patience and understanding.

On Nov. 14, the City of Long Beach learned that it was subject to a potential cybersecurity incident. The City’s Department of Technology and Innovation immediately initiated an investigation and notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Further, the City engaged third-party cyber security professionals to assist with the remediation and investigation of this incident.

The City is committed to keeping the public informed of any new developments and potential impacts to public services and to the community via www.longbeach.gov and the community information line at 562.570.INFO. People are also encouraged to follow the City’s social pages on Facebook, X and Instagram and follow the hashtag #LBAlert for updates.

Media inquiries may be directed to the City of Long Beach Joint Information Center at JIC@longbeach.gov or 562.570.NEWS.

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