§ 16-23. Obscene, threatening or harassing telephone calls.

(a)

It shall be unlawful within the corporate limits of the city for any person, by means of a telephone or other electronic communication device, to willfully:

(1)

Misuse the emergency 911 line to report any emergency that is false, or to harass;

(2)

Makes a telecommunication or other electronic communication with intent to terrify, intimidate or harass, or threaten to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or property of that person;

(3)

Makes a telecommunication or other electronic communication, whether or not conversation ensues, with intent to put the party called in fear of physical harm or death;

(4)

Makes a telecommunication or other electronic communication, whether or not conversation ensues, without disclosing the identity of the person making the call or communication and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at the called number;

(5)

Knowingly permits any telecommunication or other electronic communication under the control of the person to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section; or

(6)

In conspiracy or concerted action with other persons, makes repeated calls or electronic communications or simultaneous calls or electronic communications solely to harass any person at the called number.

(b)

As used in this section, the terms "telecommunication" and "electronic communication" mean any type of telephonic, electronic or radio communications, or transmission of signs, signals, data, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by telephone, including cellular telephones, wire, cable, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo-optical system or the creation, display, management, storage, processing, transmission or distribution of images, text, voice, video or data by wire, cable or wireless means, including the Internet. The terms "telecommunication" and "electronic communication" include:

(1)

A communication initiated by electronic mail, instant message, network call, or facsimile machine; and

(2)

A communication made to a pager.

(c)

Use of a telephone or other electronic communications facility under this section shall include all use made of such a facility between the points of origin and reception. Any offense under this section is a continuing offense and shall be deemed to have been committed at either the place of origin or the place of reception.

(d)

Except as provided in 21 O.S. § 1172 E, any person who is convicted of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Code 1966, § 14-10; Code 1982, § 16-23; Ord. No. 1592, § 1, 10-6-1975)

State law reference

Similar provisions, 21 O.S. § 1172.