Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to commit, authorize, solicit, aid, abet or attempt any of the following acts:

(a) Divert, or cause to be diverted, utility services by any means whatsoever; or

(b) Make, or cause to be made, any connection or reconnection with property owned or used by a utility to provide utility service without the authorization or consent of the utility; or

(c) Prevent any utility meter, or other device used in determining the charge for utility services, from accurately performing its measuring function by tampering or by other means; or

(d) Tamper with any property owned or used by a utility to provide utility services; or

(e) Use or receive the direct benefit of all, or a portion, of a utility service with knowledge of, or reason to believe that the diversion, tampering, or unauthorized connection existed at the time of the use, or that the use or receipt, was without the authorization or consent of the utility; or

(f) Publish the number or code of an existing, canceled, revoked or nonexistent telephone number, credit number or other credit device or method of numbering or coding which is employed in the issuance of telephone numbers, credit numbers or other credit devices under circumstances evidencing an intent to have the telephone number, credit number, credit device or method of numbering or coding used to avoid the payment of a lawful charge for any telecommunication service, or knowing or having reason to believe that the same may be used to avoid the payment of any such charge; or

(g) Obtain credit for or purchase any utility service by the use of any false, fictitious or counterfeit telephone number, credit number or other credit device, or by the use of any telephone number, credit number or other credit device without the authority of the person to whom the number or device was issued, or by the use of any telephone number, credit number or other credit device knowing that such number or device has been revoked; or

(h) Avoid the lawful charges, in whole or in part, for a utility service, by the use of any fraudulent scheme, device, means or method.

(2) Definitions. As used in this act:

(a) Customer” means the person in whose name a utility service is provided.

(b) Divert” means to change the intended course or path of electricity, gas, or water without the authorization or consent of the utility.

(c) Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, association or corporation.

(d) Reconnection” means the commencement of utility service, other than by a utility, to a customer or other person after service has been discontinued by the utility.

(e) Tamper” means to rearrange, injure, alter, interfere with or otherwise to prevent from performing normal or customary function.

(f) Utility” means any “public utility” as defined in K.S.A. and also includes any electrical, gas or water system operated by any public or private agency.

(g) Utility service” means the provision of electricity, gas, water, telecommunication or any other service or commodity furnished by the utility for compensation.

(h) Telecommunication service” means any telephone service or the transmission of a message, signal or other communication by telephone or telegraph or over telephone or telegraph facilities.

(3) Tampering with utility equipment or service is a Class A Public Offense. (Ord. 83-75 § 2, 1983.)