Lawmakers in Suffolk County will vote next week on a law that would prohibit false 911 calls based on race.
The law would make false reports to law enforcement illegal, if they are discriminatory based on race, national origin, or any other protected class.
County Legislator Jason Richberg sponsors the law.
“In some cases, it's diverting police resources from other emergencies. But in other cases, it's really a hateful act.”
The County Human Rights Commission would enforce the law. Violators would face a fine.
New York made false, race-based 911 calls a hate crime as part of its police reform agenda passed this summer.
