Proposed Santa Cruz ordinance would make discriminatory police calls unlawful
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) Last Month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the "CAREN" (Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies) Act, and now the City of Santa Cruz is considering similar legislation.
The ordinance under consideration would make discriminatory police reports unlawful, and it considers restitution for the people affected by the calls.
"The goal of this type of legislation is to this to allow individuals who have been reported to law enforcement for unfair and unnecessary reasons to seek justice and restitution, and it also is intended to motivate people who contact law enforcement to consider the reasons they are making the report," the City Council wrote in its agenda report.
The report says the proposed ordinance is not to discourage community members from reporting crimes or contacting law enforcement when they are in danger.
Some of the reports that would be considered unlawful include those knowingly made to infringe on someone's rights, discriminate against a person, harass or embarrass a person, cause them to be taken from a place, damage a person's reputation or damage a person's financial or business prospects based on actual or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight or height.
Anyone who violates the ordinance could be liable for special and general damages no less than $1,000 plus attorney fees and the cost of the action. Punitive damages may also be awarded.
The report was prepared and submitted by Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills. The City Council is set to discuss the proposal at its meeting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. At that point, the council says it will "affirm and support" the changes to police policy listed in the report.
The name of the legislation in San Francisco is a play on the name "Karen," a name used on social media to refer to people who make racially biased 911 calls. The name led to backlash by some residents who found the name offensive.
Read the full text of the proposed ordinance here.
