San Francisco official to introduce ‘CAREN Act’ to target racially-motivated 911 calls

San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton introduced an ordinance Tuesday dubbed the CAREN Act, which would impose fines on anyone who makes false and racially discriminatory emergency reports in the city.

The Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act is a nod to the term “Karen,” which has become a meme for white women who call law enforcement with racial biases. 

“Racist 911 calls are unacceptable that’s why I’m introducing the CAREN Act at today’s SF Board of Supervisors meeting,” Walton tweeted. “This is the CAREN we need.”

Racist 911 calls are unacceptable that’s why I’m introducing the CAREN Act at today’s SF Board of Supervisors meeting. This is the CAREN we need. Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies. #CARENact #sanfrancisco

— Shamann Walton (@shamannwalton) July 7, 2020

Making a false police report is already illegal but Walton’s bill would also make it illegal to fabricate a report based on someone’s race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender or sexual orientation.

Walton’s bill comes after California Assemblyman Rob Bonta introduced a bill last month that would classify discriminatory 911 calls as a hate crime in the state. 

New York state lawmakers approved legislation last month that allows people “a private right of action” if they believe someone called a police officer on them because of their race, gender or nationality. 

The move by New York came after Amy Cooper, a white woman in New York City, gained national attention after a video went viral of her calling the police on a Black birdwatcher in Central Park.