Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Sep 15, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Pay Before You Pump Ordinance

For months consumers have been feeling the tug on their wallets with the recent high cost of gasoline, but fuel providers have also been feeling the pinch at the pumps. In addition to the initial wholesale purchase of gasoline and diesel, many fuel outlets have felt the unrecoverable sting of gas drive offs, patrons taking the liberty of fueling their vehicles and leaving the station without paying. This practice/theft is absorbed by the provider whose only recourse has been to file a theft report with local police to attempt to cover their loss. In addition to the fuel provider’s loss of this precious commodity, this prevalent behavior has left the Shreveport Police Department dealing with an increasing escalation of the reporting of this “Part I” crime, and to the average citizen, gives the impression that felony crime is on the rise in Shreveport.

To address this concern practically and responsibly, Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn authored an ordinance requiring gasoline patrons to “pay before pumping” and requested the City Council pass a “Pay-before-you-pump” ordinance. Although what may seem to be inconvenient at first, many service facilities have adopted this practice to decrease their losses at the pump. Chief Whitehorn said, enacting this ordinance is multipurpose; decrease the number of gas drive offs, to enhance the marketability, reputation and safety of our city by reducing our “Part I” crime, and sending a message, not only our citizens, but to future businesses and families outside the city who look at crime statistics as one of the governing factors in relocating/starting a business or family that Shreveport is a safe city”.

Chief Whitehorn drafted the ordinance not to sway businesses from reporting legitimate crime, but to be active with a proven method of prevention, “pay before you pump”. This action/ordinance will not only reduce the amount of gas drive offs throughout the city and minimize the loss of revenue to our business partners, but dilute negative images and opinions conjugated by the perception of rising felony crime. This ordinance will also improve the efficiency of personnel both retailer and police in the entire reporting/recovery process: less thefts = more revenue = more time personnel and resources can devote to focusing on other quality of life issues.

As with any ordinance there is a learning curve and the Shreveport Police Department will be taking appropriate measures to ensure notification of this ordinance reaches those most affected. Letters from the Office of the Chief of Police will be sent to the area’s major petroleum providers and additional notification to other companies will be made by our Community Oriented Policing Bureau.

Enforcement of the ordinance will take effect on October 15, 2008.

Information can be left with Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews