JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) alerts and reminds customers that tampering with BPU electric meters creates a dangerous situation and is against the law.
Tampering with electric meters may cause fires or other safety hazards for inhabitants of homes or buildings where such meters are located. In addition, BPU employees may be placed in danger in these circumstances.
Tampering with an electric meter for the purposeof obtaining electric service without paying for it is a class A misdemeanor under the New York State Penal law. The BPU reports theft of service to local police agencies for prosecution.
Per the Electric Division tariff and BPU policy, in the event of an electric meter that has been illegally altered, the BPU immediately will disconnect the electric service to the building at the pole without notice.
This policy affects multi-unit houses as well. Electric service in these cases will not be restored until an electrical inspection is completed by a certified electric inspector and all applicable charges, including tampering penalties are paid in full.
Electric service in these situations will not be reconnected after normal business hours, but will be restored within twenty-four hours after the electric inspection approval and full payment.
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