LA Metro Ordered To Stop Arresting Riders For Using Station Outlets To Charge Phones

warrants rather than the 'electricity theft,' I do wonder if the deputies were using this as an excuse to detain people rather than as a real enforcement issue.

Either way, I agree that people should not be prevented from using the plugs, or be contacted by LEOs for doing so...

or simply take out the electrical outlets.

I'm astounded that anyone would consider arresting somebody for that.
http://lifehacker.com/5948075/how-much-energy-a-smartphone-uses-in-a-year-and-what-it-means-for-your-budget

So obviously it really adds up.

This practice must be stamped out before it bankrupts us.

the public provides the funds for the electricity, I would think they could use it.

He was fined $1 and ordered to pay $0.10 in restitution.

My dad's flight was cancelled due to weather so he rented a car and braved the highway only to hit a police roadblock. They told him to pull into the little strip-mall ahead because the highway wouldn't open till it was plowed. The little complex had a motel, gas station, a couple restaurants and stores.

He plugged the car in so it wouldn't freeze solid. Apparently there was a sign that said the plug-ins were for motel guests only. He claims not to have seen it or been able to differentiate between the parking for the motel and everything else. The cop who arrested him apologized profusely and said the motel manager was a nutcase and the judge would have him on his way in no time.