Authorities in Valley, Alabama, have arrested an 82-year-old lady for failing to pay a number of months' price of trash payments.
Martha Louis Menefield was arrested and launched on bond Nov. 27, Valley Police Chief Mike Reynolds stated in a assertion posted to Fb Tuesday.
In August, Menefield had been issued a quotation for nonpayment of trash providers for the months of June, July and August, police stated. Earlier than issuing the quotation, metropolis code enforcement workers had unsuccessfully tried to contact her by way of cellphone and in particular person.
The quotation knowledgeable Menefield a couple of Sept. 7 court docket date, police stated, and when she didn't seem for the listening to, a warrant was issued.
In keeping with town's environmental providers division, Menefield has an extended historical past of points with trash providers. Police stated she had her trash service suspended thrice previously two years for nonpayment. Data point out that, since 2006, there have been over 22 incidents of suspensions or cancellation of trash providers, police added.
Reynolds defended the arrest, which drew criticism on town's Fb web page, with a number of folks commenting that it was "shameful."
"Whereas our officers can use their discretionary judgment on sure issues, the enforcement of an arrest warrant issued by the court docket and signed by a Justice of the Peace, shouldn't be considered one of them," Reynolds wrote. "Ms. Menefield was handled respectfully by our officers within the efficiency of their duties and was launched on a bond as prescribed by the violation."
The town of Valley is positioned in east central Alabama on border with Georgia.