A proposed human rights ordinance in a west Michigan city includes penalties for violators, including those who dial 911 to try to use police to enforce their own bigotry.
WOOD-TV reports the proposed ordinance for Grand Rapids was developed during months of work and a public hearing is planned April 23 before the City Commission.
Grand Rapids Diversity & Inclusion Manager Patti Caudill says the "Biased Crime Reporting" section of the ordinance would target "the crying wolf when you see somebody who doesn't look like you in your neighborhood and you immediately call the police." A violation could be punishable by up to a $500 fine.
Protected categories in the proposed ordinance would include age, ancestry, creed, conviction record, disability, color, gender identity and expression, among others.