§ 18-11. Damaging, injuring, or interfering with property of utilities.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person intentionally and without authority to injure or destroy any meter, pipe, conduit, wire, line, post, lamp, manhole cover, fireplug, trash or garbage container or any accessories thereto or used by or belonging to the City of Hawkinsville, or to any public or private utility or company engaged in the manufacture or sale of electricity, gas, water, telephone, the furnishing of sanitary sewer service, collection of garbage and/or trash, or other public services; intentionally and without authority to prevent a meter from properly registering the quantity of such service supplied; in any way to interfere with the proper action of the City of Hawkinsville, such public or private utility or company; intentionally to divert any services of the City of Hawkinsville, or such public or private utility or company; or otherwise intentionally and without authority to use or cause to be used, without the consent of the City of Hawkinsville, or such public or private utility or company, any service manufactured, sold, or distributed by the City of Hawkinsville, such public or private utility or company.

(b)

Where there is no evidence to the contrary, the person performing any of the illegal acts set forth in subsection (a) of this Code section and the person who with knowledge of such violation receives the benefit of such service without proper charge as a result of the improper action shall be presumed to be responsible for the act of tampering or diversion.

(c)

Every person convicted in the municipal court of the City of Hawkinsville of a violation of any provision of subsection (a) or (b) hereof shall be punished as provided in section 1-12 of this Code.

(Ord. of 2-25-95)

State law reference

Damaging, injuring or interfering with property of public utility companies, O.C.G.A. § 16-7-25.