Home California Proposed Bill Would Make Calling 911 a Hate Crime Because of Persons Race

Proposed Bill Would Make Calling 911 a Hate Crime Because of Persons Race

by ECT

Today, Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) said he was introducing legislation that will help end discriminatory 911 calls motivated by an individual’s race, religion, sex, or any other protected class by designating such reports as a hate crime.

The bill would also provide civil remedy for those harmed by discriminatory 911 calls.

Under California law, it’s a criminal misdemeanor to make false police reports. However, the current law prohibiting false police reports does not include accountability measures to address discrimination if a person summons law enforcement because they perceive another individual to be a threat due to their race, religion, outward appearance, or inclusion in a protected class. While current hate crime law may be applied to a specific crime, it currently does not apply to the crime of making a false emergency report. Amendments to AB 1550 will address this gap by making clear that discriminatory 911 calls qualify as a hate crime, and further establish civil liability for the person who discriminatorily called 911.

“Racism and discrimination of any form is morally repugnant. California must continue to reassert its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity,” said Bonta.  “But those principles are being undermined by the persistent and, often fatal, presence of systemic and institutionalized racism, personal prejudice, and implicit bias in our society. AB 1550, when amended, will impose serious consequences on those who make 911 calls that are motivated by hate and bigotry; actions that inherently cause harm and pain to others. This bill is incredibly important to upholding our values and ensuring the safety of all Californians.”

The intent of AB 1550 is not to discourage individuals who are facing real danger or who seek to report a crime in good faith from calling 911. Instead, this bill could protect millions of Californians from becoming targets of hate and prevent the weaponization of our law enforcement against communities of color.

“Racist and discriminatory 911 calls are dangerous, demeaning and demoralizing to the person falsely accused. They further deteriorate community-police relations and contribute to the inaccurate and harmful over-criminalization of black and brown communities,” said Bonta. “If you are afraid of a black family barbecuing in the community park, a man dancing and doing his normal exercise routine in the bike lane, or someone who asks you to comply with dog leash laws in a park, and your immediate response is to call the police, the real problem is with your own personal prejudice.”

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7 comments

Fred Jun 17, 2020 - 9:48 pm

This guy smells like a commie.

MRS Jun 18, 2020 - 3:03 am

The statement :
The intent of AB 1550 is not to discourage individuals who are facing real danger or who seek to report a crime in good faith from calling 911. Instead, this bill could protect millions of Californians from becoming targets of hate and prevent the weaponization of our law enforcement against communities of color.

Sadly this is untrue. For the few cases this actually happens for there will be far more where they can now turn it on the caller and accuse then of being racist with a felony charge for the risk of calling the police.

Yet another reason to NOT call the police at all.

Now you will have Crimes not reported for the fear of being charged with a felony for doing so. Perfect example you call the police for a man with a gun. Police arrive, he has no gun because he ditched it. Better hope you are the same race or he or she can now play the he called because I’m a different race card.

Martin Jun 18, 2020 - 3:10 am

Say whaaaatt??? I have no clue what this guy is blabbing about!

Robert C. Jun 18, 2020 - 6:20 am

So he wants to criminalize the callers’ MOTIVATION. Just how is that going to be determined? California’s state legislature never fails to produce dumb ideas.

Jg Jun 18, 2020 - 8:08 am

Good times for political grandstanding. There are too many politicians and public employees. We need to reform and reduce government size.

Antioch-Pittsburg Highway Jun 20, 2020 - 6:08 am

AB 1550 is making a mental health condition a crime. Clearly the woman in New York’s Central Park walking dog unleashed incident was a mental health problem. A law addressing this such as mandatory court ordered therapy is in order before a person should be a criminal for a chance to understand their mental state. The law shall apply to all races that say the color of the other person skin motivated them to act stupid.

Anon Jun 21, 2020 - 4:47 pm

Making a false report to 911 is already a crime. He is just pandering to the mob, to promote himself. These politicians do more harm than good. Stop voting for them.

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