Would it be an idea to annotate phone numbers that make racist 911 calls, so the next time they call, the dispatcher gets an additional clue on how to interpret that call?
< ![CDATA[Would it be an idea to annotate phone numbers that make racist 911 calls, so the next time they call, the dispatcher gets an additional clue on how to interpret that call?]]>
I’ve got another question while reading this article: do dispatchers and police seriously have to respond to prank 911 calls? As far as I know, in Netherland you can be punished for misusing the emergency number (112 here). This sounds like US police have to waste time and time on every stupid prank call with no consequences for the caller.
< ![CDATA[I've got another question while reading this article: do dispatchers and police seriously have to respond to prank 911 calls? As far as I know, in Netherland you can be punished for misusing the emergency number (112 here). This sounds like US police have to waste time and time on every stupid prank call with no consequences for the caller.]]>
I think authorities may be hesitant to start punishing people that do this because of the “see something, say something” campaign. If they really want people to call about “suspicious activity” some may be unwilling if there’s a fear of getting in trouble when they do. I think our emergency services need more leeway to decide whether a call is valid, but due to a litigious society and the possibility of bias in the dispatcher, it’s probably best that they don’t. Which swings back to better training and accountability for law enforcement officers.
< ![CDATA[I think authorities may be hesitant to start punishing people that do this because of the "see something, say something" campaign. If they really want people to call about "suspicious activity" some may be unwilling if there's a fear of getting in trouble when they do. I think our emergency services need more leeway to decide whether a call is valid, but due to a litigious society and the possibility of bias in the dispatcher, it's probably best that they don't. Which swings back to better training and accountability for law enforcement officers.]]>
< ![CDATA[I think if the caller is genuinely "concerned", there's no prank in a legal sense.
And imagine if a caller was dismissed and then turned out to be legitimate. The cries of white genocide would never die down.]]>
< ![CDATA[But these examples are not legitimate concerns. They're just examples of walking while black.
What the police should be doing, is take note of the racism, and keep an eye on the racist.]]>
< ![CDATA[Martijn Vos Sure, but if the caller is legitimately concerned, then they can’t be accused of pranking.
Unfortunately, being a crazy racist is not illegal here.]]>
Unfortunately just because the caller is racist doesn’t mean that there isn’t suspicious activity occurring. The dispatcher is not on the scene and has limited information.
< ![CDATA[Unfortunately just because the caller is racist doesn't mean that there isn't suspicious activity occurring. The dispatcher is not on the scene and has limited information.]]>
Agreed. But I think they’re reluctant to charge the caller for the reasons I gave above. The officer should certainly address the caller and take action if they press an innocent situation.
< ![CDATA[Agreed. But I think they're reluctant to charge the caller for the reasons I gave above. The officer should certainly address the caller and take action if they press an innocent situation.]]>
ohhhhhhhhhhhhh boy
Maybe if we just installed a little blinky light on everyone that went off when they’re being racist or
< ![CDATA[ohhhhhhhhhhhhh boy Maybe if we just installed a little blinky light on everyone that went off when they're being racist or]]>
Would it be an idea to annotate phone numbers that make racist 911 calls, so the next time they call, the dispatcher gets an additional clue on how to interpret that call?
< ![CDATA[Would it be an idea to annotate phone numbers that make racist 911 calls, so the next time they call, the dispatcher gets an additional clue on how to interpret that call?]]>
I’ve got another question while reading this article: do dispatchers and police seriously have to respond to prank 911 calls? As far as I know, in Netherland you can be punished for misusing the emergency number (112 here). This sounds like US police have to waste time and time on every stupid prank call with no consequences for the caller.
< ![CDATA[I've got another question while reading this article: do dispatchers and police seriously have to respond to prank 911 calls? As far as I know, in Netherland you can be punished for misusing the emergency number (112 here). This sounds like US police have to waste time and time on every stupid prank call with no consequences for the caller.]]>
Martijn Vos prank callers can get in trouble, AFAIK.
< ![CDATA[Martijn Vos prank callers can get in trouble, AFAIK.]]>
And isn’t reporting a case of living while black as a supposed crime a prank call?
< ![CDATA[And isn't reporting a case of living while black as a supposed crime a prank call?]]>
I think authorities may be hesitant to start punishing people that do this because of the “see something, say something” campaign. If they really want people to call about “suspicious activity” some may be unwilling if there’s a fear of getting in trouble when they do. I think our emergency services need more leeway to decide whether a call is valid, but due to a litigious society and the possibility of bias in the dispatcher, it’s probably best that they don’t. Which swings back to better training and accountability for law enforcement officers.
< ![CDATA[I think authorities may be hesitant to start punishing people that do this because of the "see something, say something" campaign. If they really want people to call about "suspicious activity" some may be unwilling if there's a fear of getting in trouble when they do. I think our emergency services need more leeway to decide whether a call is valid, but due to a litigious society and the possibility of bias in the dispatcher, it's probably best that they don't. Which swings back to better training and accountability for law enforcement officers.]]>
I think if the caller is genuinely “concerned”, there’s no prank in a legal sense.
And imagine if a caller was dismissed and then turned out to be legitimate. The cries of white genocide would never die down.
< ![CDATA[I think if the caller is genuinely "concerned", there's no prank in a legal sense. And imagine if a caller was dismissed and then turned out to be legitimate. The cries of white genocide would never die down.]]>
But these examples are not legitimate concerns. They’re just examples of walking while black.
What the police should be doing, is take note of the racism, and keep an eye on the racist.
< ![CDATA[But these examples are not legitimate concerns. They're just examples of walking while black. What the police should be doing, is take note of the racism, and keep an eye on the racist.]]>
Martijn Vos Sure, but if the caller is legitimately concerned, then they can’t be accused of pranking.
Unfortunately, being a crazy racist is not illegal here.
< ![CDATA[Martijn Vos Sure, but if the caller is legitimately concerned, then they can’t be accused of pranking.
Unfortunately, being a crazy racist is not illegal here.]]>
Maybe the caller is not intentionally pranking, but it’s not a legitimate emergency, and the caller should be aware of that.
< ![CDATA[Maybe the caller is not intentionally pranking, but it's not a legitimate emergency, and the caller should be aware of that.]]>
Unfortunately just because the caller is racist doesn’t mean that there isn’t suspicious activity occurring. The dispatcher is not on the scene and has limited information.
< ![CDATA[Unfortunately just because the caller is racist doesn't mean that there isn't suspicious activity occurring. The dispatcher is not on the scene and has limited information.]]>
Sure, but when an officer arrives and it turns out there’s no emergency and there never was?
< ![CDATA[Sure, but when an officer arrives and it turns out there's no emergency and there never was?]]>
Agreed. But I think they’re reluctant to charge the caller for the reasons I gave above. The officer should certainly address the caller and take action if they press an innocent situation.
< ![CDATA[Agreed. But I think they're reluctant to charge the caller for the reasons I gave above. The officer should certainly address the caller and take action if they press an innocent situation.]]>