[Fire and Police Alarms; False Alarms; Rewards]

   (a)   This Section 637 shall be known as the Caution Against Racial and Exploitative Non-Emergencies Act.

   (b)   Discriminatory Reports to Law Enforcement Prohibited. It shall be unlawful to knowingly cause a peace officer to arrive at a location to contact a person, with the specific intent to do any of the following on the basis of the person’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height:

      (1)   Infringe upon the person’s rights under either the California Constitution or the United States Constitution;

      (2)   Discriminate against the person;

      (3)   Cause the person to feel harassed, humiliated, or embarrassed;

      (4)   Cause the person to be expelled from a place in which the person is lawfully located;

      (5)   Damage the person’s reputation or standing within the community; or

      (6)   Damage the person’s financial, economic, consumer, or business prospects or interests.

   (c)   Civil Cause of Action. Any aggrieved person may enforce the provisions of this Section 637 by means of a civil action.

   (d)   A person found to have violated subsection (b) in a cause of action under subsection (c) shall be liable to the aggrieved person for special and general damages, but in no case less than $1,000 plus attorneys’ fees and the costs of the action. In addition, punitive damages may be awarded in a proper case.

   (e)   Nothing in this Section 637 shall preclude any person from seeking any other remedies, penalties, or procedures provided by law.

(Added by Ord. 219-20, File No. 200735, App. 11/6/2020, Eff. 12/7/2020)