CENTREVILLE &045;&045; Loafers will have to shake a leg on Centreville streets or face arrest under a loitering ordinance adopted unanimously by town aldermen on Tuesday.

The new law makes it illegal for persons to remain idle, beg or obstruct the passage of pedestrians or vehicles in public places.

Officers must ask suspected violators to identify themselves and explain their presence or conduct. Those who refuse to leave the area after being ordered to do so may be arrested.

&uot;We’ve had some problems with some people hanging out on the streets and sidewalks. That’s what this is for,&uot; Centreville Mayor David Owens said.

Persons found guilty of violating the misdemeanor ordinance may be subject to fines and/or jail sentences.

In another law enforcement matter, Centreville Police Chief Jimmy Ray Reese informed aldermen that his department is working with constables in Wilkinson and Amite counties to serve outstanding arrests warrants for bad checks.

Constables are paid a $50 fee for each warrant they serve for a municipality. But Reese said the service pays for itself in the fines collected.

&uot;The town is only out that money temporarily. That’s money we get back in fines,&uot; Reese said.

In other business, the board:

4Voted not to renew its contract with Backflow Solutions for cross-connector service on water lines. The town was paying $850 per month for the service.

4Discussed the need to redistrict prior to the town’s 2005 municipal elections, but took no formal action on the matter.

4Named AmSouth Bank as the official depository for town funds.