Bossier ‘erroneous emergency alert’ issued; service restored

BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Residents throughout Bossier Parish received a public safety alert at 4:07 p.m. from the Bossier Parish Police Jury, which has since been corrected.

The message: “Public safety message: the Consolidated Waterworks District #1 service is restored, a boil advisory is in effect.”

However, at 4:22 p.m., the Bossier Parish Police Jury addressed the alerts via social media, stating in all caps, “PLEASE

DISREGARD THE PHONE ALERT SENT OUT THIS AFTERNOON. IT WAS INTENDED FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN HAUGHTON OFF HIGHWAY 614, VIRGINIA, AND STEWART ROADS.”

“The Bossier Parish Police Jury would like to extend its sincerest apologies for an emergency alert that was mistakenly sent out this afternoon to residents across the parish,” Bossier Parish Police Jury wrote in a news release, “Unfortunately, due to a technical error, the message was distributed parish-wide.”

The original notice for Haughton residents advised that their water service had been temporarily interrupted and is now restored. However, as a precaution, a boil-water advisory is in effect for the affected area.

Bossier Parish Police Jury states that the advisory will remain in effect until further notice. “We deeply regret the inconvenience and confusion caused by this error. The health and safety of our residents remain our top priority.”