Bill Would Penalize Unnecessary 9-1-1 Calls With $250 Payment

House Bill 3216 would allow anyone who wrongly has the police called on them to bring a civil case against the 9-1-1 caller.

(Justin Katigbak)
By Katie Shepherd

Calling the police on someone who isn't committing a crime could cost you $250 if Oregon legislators pass a newly proposed bill.

House Bill 3216 would allow anyone who wrongly has the police called on them to bring a civil case against the 9-1-1 caller. The bill was first reported by The Oregonian.

Unnecessary 9-1-1 calls have attracted public attention in the past year in Oregon. Two men were fired from the Doubletree Hotel after they called police on a black man who was a guest and took a phone call in the hotel lobby.

One of the bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Janelle Bynum, has a personal connection to the bill.  While she was campaigning last year, a woman called 9-1-1 to report Bynum as a suspicious person.

The bill would allow people to bring a civil complaint for as much as $250 against the person who called 9-1-1 on them while they were not committing a crime or posing a threat.

Bynum could not immediately be reached for comment on the details of the legislation.

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.