An 82-year-old woman in Alabama was arrested this week after failing to pay her overdue garbage bill, authorities said.
Martha Louis Menefield, of Valley, was arrested Sunday and later released on bond, according to a Tuesday statement from Valley Police Chief Mike Reynolds posted on the city’s website. Facebook page.
Menefield received a citation in August by city code officers in Valley, about 80 miles northeast of Montgomery, for failing to pay for valet trash services in the months of June, July and August.
Code enforcement officers attempted to call Menefield multiple times and attempted to contact her at home, the statement said.
“When contact could not be established, a sign was left on the door of his residence,” the statement said. “The sign contained information about the reason for the visit and a contact name and phone number for her to call. The summons informed Ms. Menefield that she was to appear in court on September 7, 2022, in reference to this case.»
When Menefield failed to appear in court, a warrant was issued for his arrest for «non-payment of garbage,» according to the statement.
Menefield has a history of not paying his garbage bill, according to Reynolds’ statement.
Its garbage collection services have been suspended three times in the past two years, and there have been more than 22 incidents of suspensions and revocations of garbage collection services since 2006, according to the statement.
Reynolds said the police department had orders to arrest Menefield.
«While our officers may use their discretionary judgment in certain matters, the execution of a court-issued arrest warrant signed by a magistrate is not one of them,» Reynolds said in the statement.
«Milisecond. Menefield was treated with respect by our officers in the performance of his duties and has been released on bail as prescribed for the violation.»
Menefield could not immediately be reached by NBC News for comment.
Commenters on the city’s Facebook page were outraged by the arrest of an elderly man.
One commenter wrote: “That is really disgusting and hateful stuff. Shame that officials think this is okay.»