§ 139.04. Party lines to be yielded in emergencies.

A.

For the purpose of this section the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

"Party line." A subscriber's line telephone circuit to which two or more main telephone stations are connected, each station having a distinctive ring or telephone number.

"Emergency." A situation in which property or human life is in jeopardy and in which prompt summoning of aid is essential.

B.

No person shall willfully refuse immediately to yield or relinquish the use of a party line to another person for the purpose of permitting such other person to report a fire or summon law enforcement agencies, ambulance service, medical or other aid in case of emergency.

C.

No person shall ask for or request the use of a party line on the pretext that an emergency exists, knowing that no emergency exists.

D.

Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. Penalty, see § 130.99. (R.C. § 4931.30)

(Ord. 728-1973)