GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- In an effort to combat gasoline driveoffs, the majority of Hall County, Neb.'s gasoline retailers voluntarily adopted a pay-at-the-pump policy on September 1, the Grand Island Independent reported.
Hall County Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Rea said deputies contacted all of the county's gas stations about a month ago. They requested that the vendors attend a meeting to discuss how to help prevent drivers from leaving without paying for fuel.
Driveoffs are time-consuming for deputies, and many times the drivers [image-nocss] can't be found, especially when the station is near the interstate, Rea told the newspaper.
Deputies suggested having all customers pay at the pump using a credit or debit card. Some driveoffs in town have been the result of people swiping a card, filling the tank and driving off without realizing that the card didn't register with the pump. For those stations adopting the pay-at-the-pump-only policy, the pumps won't turn on until a card registers, he said. Anyone wishing to pay cash can prepay inside at some places, he said.
We realize this may inconvenience some customers, but it's like with the airport: In today's climate, extra steps have to be taken for security, he said. And when a motorist leaves without paying for fuel, the station is out the money and may eventually have to pass the costs on to customers through the price of other items, much like stores must do with shoplifting, he said.
Kansas City passed an ordinance on pay-at-the-pump, Rea said. We did some research on this first and asked the vendors to do this voluntarily. The majority agreed to give it a try at our urging. People will get used to it. Those that travel are already used to it.
Wayne Davis, division manager for Bosselman's convenience stores, has experienced Kansas City's mandate firsthand. It's coming in from both coasts, he told the paper. Places on the coasts have been doing this for some time.
All but one of Bosselman's Pump & Pantry stores in Hall County will have the pay-at-the-pump policy. The last store will be equipped with new pumps to accommodate the policy on Tuesday, he said. We're going to participate for sure, he added.
Many Pump & Pantry customers already pay for their unleaded and diesel fuel at the pumps, and many of those people still go into the store to purchase snacks or coffee, while the new practice will be a bit of a learning curve for others, he said. Bosselman officials have had meetings with their clerks to train them on how to help the customers with the new policy.
Separately, Polk County, Fla., commissioners are considering an ordinance to prevent gasoline thefts in unincorporated areas, reported the Orlando Sentinel.
Supported by Commissioner Sam Johnson, the ordinance, if approved as proposed, would require consumers to pay in advance for gasoline. It would also require signs at self-service pumps, written in English and Spanish, that explain advance payment is necessary. Violators would face a $500 fine or 60 days in jail.
We just researched and found that every place that had instituted this ordinance saw a reduction in the loss of gasoline, Sheriff Grady Judd told the paper. We think it's a win for the businesses because it will reduce their losses. We think it's a win for the consumer.
Judd said the measure would also reduce the number of calls his agency receives.
Not everyone in the gasoline industry supports such measures, however. Jim Smith, president of the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, said such steps as requiring prepayment should be a choice of the business owner. There's no need for government to stick their nose into private business, Smith told the paper.
Click here to view the proposed ordinance.
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