§ 6-82. Tampering.

(a)

The following acts are declared to be unlawful and punishable as provided by the Charter of the city:

(1)

Tampering with or altering any utility or any line, wire, pipe or other device or other instrumentality used in connection with the operation of the utility system of the water, light and bond commission.

(2)

Tampering with, resetting or otherwise interfering with any metering device used in the operation of the utility system of the water, light and bond commission whether the device is owned by the commission, the customer or otherwise, so as to cause it to run backward, to register incorrectly or to fail to operate.

(3)

Performing any act or using any means, method, device or contrivance which bypasses a metering device, metering instrument or other instrument used to measure consumption of utilities or which otherwise prevents such device from accurately recording the consumption of the utility, regardless of whether such device is owned by the water, light and bond commission, the customer or otherwise.

(4)

Placing upon the lines, conductors, pipes or other instrumentalities conveying utilities, regardless of whether they are owned by the water, light and bond commission, the customer or otherwise, any device or instrument by means of which the utility is made available without being measured or recorded.

(5)

Any unauthorized use of a metering device or a conducting facility so as to obtain utilities without paying for them.

(6)

Where there is no evidence to the contrary, the person performing any of the illegal acts referred to in this section or any person who with knowledge of such violations receives the benefit of such service without proper charge as a result of such improper action shall be presumed to be responsible for such acts of tampering or diversion.

(7)

Any customer who requests electrical current from the water, light and bond commission shall be responsible for seeing that all meters, wires and other instrumentalities used in the operation of the utility system of the commission which are located on the property owned, rented or under the control of such customer are not tampered with or altered.

(b)

Any person who performs any of the acts set forth in this section or who conspires to do so or procures or causes to be done any of such acts or who uses or consumes any utility furnished by the water, light and bond commission with knowledge that any of such acts have been done and that such use is not being properly and accurately recorded, shall be guilty of an offense and punishable as provided in the Charter of the city.

(Code 1966, § 10-39)

State law reference

Criminal interference with government property, O.C.G.A. § 16-7-25; damaging, injuring, or interfering with property of public utility companies, municipalities, or political subdivisions, O.C.G.A. § 16-7-25.

Cross reference

Utilities, Ch. 23.