[mjevans]

Depends on how false false is. If someone actually believes there to be a fire that's one thing. If someone is clearly doing it with intent to cause harm to others, then that's a crime and they should be charged with such; after the fact.

I'm against installing verbal filters on everyone just in case someone might shout 'fire' in a crowded place with intent to cause harm.

[rhizome]

If someone actually believes there to be a fire that's one thing

You don't have to wonder, there are long defined and continuously refined standards in operation. But it's irrelevant to the thread, so we don't need to detail them here.