Causing unfounded public safety responses.
Norfolk City Code § 29-10.1
in effectSec. 29-10.1. - Causing unfounded public safety responses.
It shall be unlawful for any person to undertake any action involving any substance represented as, held out to be, or which a reasonable person believes to be a potentially dangerous or suspected nuclear, chemical or biological substance or explosives which causes or requires public safety response when the person undertaking such action knows such action is a hoax. For purposes of this section the term action shall include calling, mailing, delivering, handling, releasing, depositing or storing. For purposes of this section the term hoax shall mean a deception, scam, trick, prank or practical joke. For purposes of this section, public safety shall include law enforcement, fire, paramedics, health and emergency management personnel.
A violation of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each incident shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to any penalty imposed, the city shall be entitled to recover the costs of the public safety emergency response from the person causing or requiring said response.
(Ord. No. 40,554, § 1, 12-11-01)
Source: City of Norfolk, Virginia, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/norfolk/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COCI_CH29OFIS_S29-10.1CAUNPUSAREFetched: 11/1/2026