Perhaps it is a sign of the times and ridiculously high gas prices. Or maybe thieves are simply getting bolder. Whatever the case may be, when my sister told me that someone had stolen the gas out of her car and 20 others along her street I was completely dumbfounded. I couldn’t imagine the time and effort it took to commit such a crime, not to mention how incredibly risky it was.
As gas prices reach all-time highs I have heard that the old pump-and-run scheme has been rearing its ugly head at a few gas stations. However, most gas stations have adopted the pay-first, pump-later structure that seems to adequately protect them from serious loss. Indeed, I am happy that our local stations have a way to combat the cunning thieves among us; however I can’t help but think, what about the rest of us? What about the 20 people on my sister’s street that had their gas stolen while they slept? Unlike a purse or wallet, we can’t simply take our gas out of our cars and carry it into our house or the supermarket with us. No, we just have to leave it there and hope that we don’t become a victim, right? Wrong. Though it is difficult to prevent the theft of gas from a personal vehicle, it is not impossible. We can all be proactive in fighting this crime by taking simple steps to protect ourselves such as parking our vehicles in well lighted areas and investing in locking gas caps (which can be found at most auto parts stores). Sadly, we may not be able to stop the rise of gas prices, but we can do something to protect ourselves from gas theft!
For further information and posters you can use in your community please visit http://www.ncpc.org/topics/personal-safety/gas-station-theft-prevention/
Posted by: Jeff Broderson | April 08, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Not only will a locking gas cap prevent someone from stealing gasoline out of your vehicle, it will also prevent someone from putting anything IN your gas tank, which could amount to thousands of dollars in repairs. A locking gas cap is a good cheap insurance policy.
Posted by: Mark | April 26, 2008 at 06:40 PM
well if the government and business owners weren't so greedy, maybe eeryone would have more money and America would have a better economy.
Now the banks are going under.
It's not necessarily BECAUSE of gas; but its because of greed.
and stubborn people denying very invention, for an alternative to gas.
we have wind, water, electricity, and solar power
I realize there have already been inventions for cars pertaining to the resources, but none of them are affordable to minium wage, or normal working class people, they're only affordable to millionaires, which all these actors and actresses could donate money to numerous foundations and charities, and to people like us.
In my opinion GREED is the bottom line for all of america's problems.
Also, I hear of people driving an hour or so just to find gas.
and then not being able to afford no more than 5 gallons or so, I also witnessed first hand, at the only gas station with gas where I live at, 2 police cars having to revert traffic to a different road because the line for gas at the gas staion poured into the streets.
we need to do something.
Posted by: Celeste | September 29, 2008 at 07:03 PM