New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has now made it illegal to place race-based 911 calls that intimidate people on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion or gender.
Race-based 911 calls illegal
The new legislation, which takes effect immediately, amends one on the books that already deems filing a false police report a crime.
“Using the threat of a 9-1-1 call or police report as an intimidation tactic against people of color is an unacceptable, abhorrent form of discrimination,” Murphy said in a statement.
“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,” Murphy added.
Violators of race-based 911 calls face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000, The Hill reported.
