New bill seeks to add consequences for 911 abuse

<p>A new bill from state Sen. Kevin Parker aims to ensure that people understand there should be consequences for making false 911 calls when there is no public threat.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 18, 2018, 9:58 PM

Updated 2,108 days ago

Share:

A new bill from state Sen. Kevin Parker aims to ensure that people understand there should be consequences for making false 911 calls when there is no public threat.
Officials are using the recent "Cornerstore Caroline" incident as an example of 911 abuse.
Theresa Klein, a white woman, apologized and received a public shaming after she falsely accused a 9-year-old black boy of touching her buttocks last week at a Flatbush deli. She could be seen on the phone, claiming to be talking with police about the alleged groping. Surveillance video shows that it was only the boy's backpack that touched her.
Police say they never received a 911 call from the deli and that there's no record of a criminal complaint. Parker says it's situations like these that are good examples of why there must be consequences for abusing 911.
In August, Parker says he introduced a bill that would make the misuse of 911 calls a class B misdemeanor. If it becomes law, a person found guilty of knowingly reporting a nonemergency incident when there's no public safety threat could face up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.
Parker says his bill is different from the one introduced by state Sen. Jesse Hamilton, whose bill calls for it to be a hate crime anytime a person makes a false report to 911 for a nonemergency incident.
Parker says his bill is in a committee and that he hopes Gov. Andrew Cuomo will get involved.


More from News 12
0:32
Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

1:40
Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

1:46
Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

1:54
East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

1:24
G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

1:44
Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

1:43
Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

0:47
Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

0:24
Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

1:44
The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

1:36
Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

1:31
Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

1:41
Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

1:46
YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

0:37
Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

1:14
New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

1:35
Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

1:55
Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

0:29
Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American

Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American