The City of Bethel council met on September 26, 2023 for their regular meeting. During that time, council introduced Ordinance 23-17: Amending the Bethel Municipal Code (BMC) by creating a new section, Prohibiting Abuse of the 911 System on their consent agenda.
Amendments to the BMC under code section 9.15.010 state that (A) Any person who, after being warned that their use of the 911 system is improper, uses the 911 telephone system for any reason other than because of an emergency is guilty of an infraction.
And, (B) For purposes of this section, “emergency” means any condition in which a reasonable person would believe emergency services will result in the saving of a life, a reduction in the destruction of property, quicker apprehension of a criminal, assistance with a potentially life-threatening medical problem, a fire, a need for rescue, an imminent potential crime, or a similar situation in which immediate action is required. “Emergency” also includes calls to 911 the purpose of which is to prevent an emergency response from being initiated when no such response is needed.
The new language also states that a person convicted under subsection (A) is subject to a fine of $250.
The ordinance, sponsored by the Public Safety and Transportation Commission, is scheduled for public hearing on October 10th, 2023.
