False 911 Call Penalty
Is It Illegal to Call 911 for a Non-Emergency?
Making a 911 call for any other reason besides reporting an emergency can result in criminal penalties. Different states have different penalties and punishments for misuse of 911, but the worst-case scenarios are stiff fines and jail time.
To ensure that emergency responders put their energy and time into situations that genuinely need them, It is required that everyone only uses 911 when in a true emergency. Calling 911 for purposes besides their intended purpose can waste time and resources that could be used to help someone else in need.
What Are The Penalties for Misusing 911?
If you are in a situation where you feel the need to make that 911 call, think about it first. Is it a true emergency? Non Emergency calls to 911 do not only clog the real emergency lines but will cost you heavy penalties. In Virginia, for instance, the penal code for making an unnecessary 911 call is a $2,500 fine, a year in jail, or both.
It is also illegal to make false emergency reports or disasters, not only to 911 but to anyone, private or public. Most states have this rule in place. Calling 911 with the intention of harassing or annoying another person, for instance, calling to report that a neighbor’s house is on fire when it, in fact, isn’t, will cost you up to $1,000 in fines or a six-month jail term, or both. Repeatedly calling 911 for reasons that not ideally emergencies will cost you $200 per call in fines.
What Are Pranks and False Reports?
SWATing is the act of falsely reporting a critical situation-such as a standoff with guns or a hostage situation.
The idea behind SWATing is to have the authorities show up at the address of the person being pranked to make them believe that there is indeed an emergency.
If the situation sounds critical, the first responders and law enforcement may respond with a tactical force also referred to as the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
The person being pranked, oblivious of what is going on will find themselves bombarded with flash-bang grenades or ordered to leave the building at gunpoint.
SWATting does not only waste the emergency services resources and time but could be dangerous as the prank victim could suffer injuries and even death. The reverse could also be dangerous as the person being pranked could mistake the responding law enforcement for intruders and hurt them in an attempt to protect themselves.
What If You Call 911 Accidentally?
If you dial 911 by mistake, you need not panic and hang up as this will make the responders believe there is a genuine emergency. You should keep calm and explain to the person on the other side of the phone that it was a mistake.
This way they will know not to dispatch responders. Mistakes happen and you need not panic. This will save time and resources as opposed to hanging up and the responders being dispatched to your address only to find it was a misdial.
Why Not Make A Call When In Doubt?
Emergency call centers go above and beyond to educate non-emergency callers on how to use the emergency lines correctly. A majority of 911 abuse cases that end up in a prosecution are a result of clear violations. For instance, in 2003, a Florida man was arrested after calling the 911 line 900 times.
Emergencies like having an intruder in the house will warrant police intervention, but if you find a broken car window or a missing item in your house or garage, you can report the case on a non-emergency line. This is a case that can be reported to your local police headquarters.
Using your best judgment when unsure if your situation calls for an emergency response is the best way to go.
It is worse to not contact the emergency services for a threatening situation than to call for a situation that is not an emergency. If you are undecided whether your situation warrants a 911 call, think of the situation in immediacy terms. Do seconds count?
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