No more tickets for charging phones at outlets in Boulder

With prosecutors refusing to pursue charges, Boulder police will no longer ticket people for using city outlets to charge their phones.

The Daily Camera reports that nine people have been cited for theft of a public utility in the last two years. One was jailed after she failed to show up in court. Gaya Jenkins believes she was targeted because police thought she was homeless.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty says the electricity used is very minimal and his office won’t make being homelessness a crime.

Police Chief Greg Testa says police usually approach people about using the outlets along the city’s pedestrian mall after getting complaints from vendors who use them. He says they mostly issued warnings and police will continue to direct people to use outlets at the library or shelters.