Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 17 Misuse of the 911 or Emergency Call System

This chapter is intended to reduce the number of false requests for emergency assistance or similar misuse of the 911 emergency response system which occur within the City and result in waste of City resources and/or the creation of a public safety risk by providing for certain penalties for such misuse.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 1, 2-24-2020)

The following persons or words used in this chapter shall be defined as set forth in this section:

Misuse of the 911 system is a request for emergency response when no actual emergency exists and when the caller does not have a good faith basis to request emergency assistance. This definition includes false reporting, as that term is defined under section 9.02.010. This chapter shall not be applicable to mechanical activations of requests for assistance, nor shall it be interpreted to impose liability on any person who makes a good faith request for emergency assistance based on a reasonable factual basis that an emergency situation exists.

Person includes any natural person, partnership, joint stock company, unincorporated association of society, or corporation of any character whatsoever; and

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 1, 2-24-2020)

It shall be unlawful for any person to misuse the 911 system. It shall be an affirmative defense that the person charged has a good faith, reasonable factual basis for the request.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 1, 2-24-2020)

Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or by state statute adopted by reference, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 1, 2-24-2020)