Blythe Municipal Code Ch. 9.90 Misuse of the 9-1-1 System

The purpose of this ordinance codified in this chapter is to establish a process and fee to recover city of Blythe costs resulting from misuse of the 9-1-1 system which result in unnecessary and preventable responses to 9-1-1 "hang-up" calls.

(Ord. No. 840, § 1, 1-26-10)

"9-1-1 call" means any telephone call using any form of communications device that results in a completed connection to the Vallejo police department emergency communications center.

"9-1-1 hang-up call" means any telephone call made using any telephone instrument or other communications device that results in a completed connection to the Blythe police department emergency communications center where the caller, unless physically unable to do so, either: (1) fails to remain on the line and advise communications operator of the nature of the call, or (2) fails to answer a call-back from the police department to verify the nature of the call, or (3) fails to permit an operator to interrupt if the line is busy on call-back and it is subsequently determined that the caller was not attempting to report a police, fire or medical emergency.

"Telephone subscriber" means any individual, group of individuals, business or businesses that cause or are responsible for the installation, purchase or lease of any form of telephone equipment or other communications device that provides access to the 9-1-1 emergency calling system. The individual or business name and/or address transmitted to the police department's emergency communications center shall be presumed to be that of the telephone subscriber.

"Telephone user" means any person, including the telephone subscriber, who actually places a 9-1-1 call to the Police Department Emergency Communications Center using any telephone instrument or other communications device.

(Ord. No. 840, § 1, 1-26-10)

A. Any telephone user who intentionally, unintentionally or negligently uses any telephone or other communications device to call 9-1-1 shall, unless physically unable to do so, remain on the line until the call is answered by a police department emergency communications operator and shall: (1) provide information concerning the nature of the police, fire or medical emergency or other reason for placing the 9-1-1 call, or (2) confirm that no emergency situation exists.

B. Any telephone user who intentionally, unintentionally or negligently uses any telephone or other communications device to call 9-1-1 and terminates (hangs-up) the call prior to confirming the nature of the police, fire or medical emergency or confirming that no emergency exists shall, unless physically unable to do so, immediately answer any call-back telephone call from the police department emergency communications center and either: (1) confirm the nature of the police, fire or medical emergency, or (2) confirm that no emergency exists.

C. All telephone subscribers are responsible for ensuring that the telephone users who use the telephone subscriber's service to call 9-1-1 do so in compliance with subsections A and B above. Telephone users are responsible for the fee assessed under this ordinance as a result of a telephone user's failure to comply with A or B above. However, if the identity of the telephone user may not be ascertained upon police response to the 9-1-1 call and reasonably diligent inquiry, the telephone subscriber shall be presumed to be responsible for the fee. If the user is a minor child, the parent or guardian is responsible for the fee. If the parent or guardian is not ascertained, the subscriber shall be presumed to be responsible for the fee.

(Ord. No. 840, § 1, 1-26-10)

The provisions of this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the chief of police or designee. The chief of police or designee shall have the authority to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 840, § 1, 1-26-10)

A. An administrative citation in the amount of fifty dollars shall be issued to every telephone user in violation of this ordinance, and if the user can not be ascertained, an administrative citation shall be issued to the phone subscriber for each and every 9-1-1 "hang up" call received by the Blythe police department emergency communications center where it is subsequently determined that no police, fire or medical emergency existed.

B. Each violation of the provisions set forth in this chapter shall constitute a separate offense and shall be treated as an infraction pursuant to the provisions of Blythe Municipal Code Section 1.24.030.

(Ord. No. 840, § 1, 1-26-10)