New Jersey

Race based 911 calls are now illegal in New Jersey

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has now made it illegal to place 911 calls that intimidate people on the basis of race

Published

4 years ago

September 2, 2020

Unheard Voices Staff

Photo by Adrienn: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-using-smartphone-1458283/

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has now made it illegal to place Race based 911 calls.

These calls that are meant to intimidate people on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion or gender.

Table of Contents

Race based 911 calls legislation

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.

Consequences of making the call

Violators face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000, The Hill reported.

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Related Topics:bias crime discrimination hate crime race relations

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Unheard Voices Staff

Unheard Voices is an award-winning news magazine that started in 2004 as a newsletter in the Asbury Park, Neptune, and Long Branch, NJ areas to broadening into a recognized Black online media outlet. The company is one of the few outlets dedicated to covering social justice issues. They are the recipient of the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and CV Magazine's Innovator Award for Best Social Justice Communications Company.