False, Race-Based 911 Calls Now Criminal In New Jersey

NEW JERSEY - Those who misuse 911 to intimidate people of color could find themselves on the receiving end of police action as an ammendment to a current law includes false incrimination and filing a false police report as a form of bias intimidation. The bill also establishes crime of false 911 call with purpose to intimidate or harass based on race or other protected class.

“Using the threat of a 911 call or police report as an intimidation tactic against people of color is an unacceptable, abhorrent form of discrimination,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This irresponsible misuse of our 9-1-1 system places victims in a potentially dangerous situation, and can erode trust between Black and Brown New Jerseyans and law enforcement. Individuals who choose to weaponize this form of intimidation should held be accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

There has been a history of citizens weaponizing police against people of color. In June a Black Montclair couple claimed that their white neighbor tried to call the police on them during an argument because they're Black. It was captured on video, and has been shared widely on social media.

Thevideo shows a woman pacing back and forth in the street and arguing with several people as she calls police on her phone. She's asked to leave the scene multiple times but refuses.

In a caption to the video, the poster calls the woman "Permit Karen" and accuses her of calling police on him and his wife because they're Black. He alleges that the incident started over a dispute about whether they had the proper permit to build a stone patio in their backyard.

"Over the past two years we've worked hard to build and strengthen trust between communities and law enforcement, and this law will help us further racial justice while keeping our residents safe," said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. "Not only is falsely calling 911 a form of intimidation against people of color that places its victims in danger, it interferes with 911 emergency operators trying to save lives and puts law enforcement at risk. This law demonstrates New Jersey takes addressing racial bias incidents seriously."

One of the most famous cases of this happened in May in New York's Central Park, when a white woman, Amy Cooper, called the police on a Black man, Christian Cooper, who argued with her over her dog being on a leash.

"I'm taking a picture and calling the cops," Amy Cooper is heard saying in the video captured by Christian Cooper. "I'm going to tell them there's an African American man threatening my life."

“We have seen, time and time again, the immense physical and emotional impact of weaponizing the police against Black and brown individuals. No one should fear having the police called on them simply because they are walking their dog, barbecuing with friends or asking a fellow New Yorker to follow the law," said Senator Shirley Turner. "I am grateful Governor Murphy saw the value in criminalizing this dangerous tactic and I hope other states will follow suit."

In a joint-statement, Assemblymembers Benjie Wimberly, Yvonne Lopez, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Cleopatra Tucker said the ongoing protests further highlighting the turbulent relationship between police officers and the black community, the insidious threat of a false 911 call or police report has never been clearer.

"Calling the police when no crime has occurred can be incredibly dangerous for victims of this attempt at bias intimidation, since officers have wide latitude to detain people in ways that can quickly escalate into life and death situations,” said Senator Nia Gill. "The adoption of this law moves us one step closer to ensuring that New Jersey’s police are not weaponized for purposes of bias intimidation, and those who attempt to do so will be held accountable under this law."

Senator Troy Singleton noted that false 911 calls a waste of resources and when they are used to harass or intimidate someone based on their race, religion, sexuality or other protected classes, they risk escalating it into a potentially deadly situation.

"Under this new law, anyone who files a false police report will be subject to criminal penalty,” Singleton said.

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