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ORDINANCE N0. __--
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE ACT OF TAMPERING
WITH ELECTRICAL OR GAS OR WATER METERS, OR ANY
OTHER TYPE 0~' METER THAT IS OWNED OR OPERATED
BY THE CITY OF WEST P~MPHIS, ARKANSAS, ARKANSAS-
LOUISIANA GAS CO., OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF PUBLIC
UTILITY WITHIN THE CITY OF 6JEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS.
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B~ IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS
Section 1. Defin~.tion: Tamper or tampering; - to meddle so
as to alter a thing, especially to make corrupting or perverting
changes; as, t o tamper with the property of another; to interfere
improperly; to meddle; to busy oneself rashly; to try trifling of
foolish experiments.
Section 2. It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation,
partnership, or association within the City Limits of West Memphis,
.Arkansas, to tamper with an electrical, gas or water meter, or any
other type of meter that is oi~med and operated by the City of
'Nest bie!nphis, Arkansas or owned by the Arkan as-Louisiana-Gas Co.,
,,,,. or a similar utility in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas.
Section 3. When meter tampering is~discovered by meter readers
cf the Utility Department or the ~'rkansas-Louisiana Gas Co., located
on the premises of a ;,erson, corporation, partnership or association,
~~therz is created a presumption that said tampering was done by the
occupant, ot+mer, person or, tenant, which shall be prima facie evidence.
resumption of tamps-ring may be rebutted on evidence satisz"actory to
the Court.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of•the West Memphis Police
department, where there is reasonable cause to believe that a meter
:~s been tampered with, to issue a citation to the occupant, charging
s~.:.ch occupant with a violation of this Ordinance.
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Section 5.. Any violation of the provisions of this Ordinance
shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed nifty Dollars
($50.00) or for confinement for a period of thirty (30) days or both,
in the discretion of the Court.
PASSED AND APPROVED this ~ ~ day of ~i~ 9'~'C/' /~ ~ ~,
~97~•
ATTEST:
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CITY CLE
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