Posted on: Thursday, April 21, 2005

Making false 911 calls now a misdemeanor

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle signed a bill into law yesterday that will make it a misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly call in a false report to the 911 emergency line.

At a news conference in the Honolulu Police Department's Emergency Operations Center with Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and police, fire and emergency medical officials, Lingle said false complaints are cruel and can risk lives by delaying emergency response times.

"They are making them to people who spend their lives helping other people," the governor said.

Honolulu police receive about 21,000 calls a week to the 911 line and only about 10 to 15 calls are pranks. But police said pranks divert resources away from real emergencies and can be dangerous if police and emergency crews rush to respond.

"When life is in jeopardy, we have to respond quickly," police Lt. Charles Chong said.

Police have the ability to track 911 calls from land lines, which has led to a decrease in the number of false reports. Police will soon be able to quickly trace cellular calls. Chong said most of the pranks come from cell or pay phones. He said people have called with phony tales of childbirth, kidnapping and overturned cars.

"We're looking for the people who are maliciously calling for sport," Chong said.

Lingle said she wants prosecutors to pursue a case under the new law as an example and warning to others. A misdemeanor is punishable by a $2,000 fine and a year in jail.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.