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Positions: Strengthening Penalties for Gasoline Theft Drive-Offs A.7720-A
by Member of Assembly Hoyt This legislation would sharpen the penalties for theft of gasoline from self-serve fuel pumps at a gas station or convenience store, by requiring the suspension of the driver's license of a repeat offender. Gasoline theft is on the rise, and it's hitting motor fuel retailers when the value of that stolen property is at an all-time high. If an SUV owner fills up and intentionally drives off without paying, it now costs the station or convenience store as much as $50. If that occurs once a week, the annual loss to the business is $2,600. The National Association of Convenience Stores estimates that losses from gasoline theft total $234 million annually nationwide. Sadly, law-abiding customers end up paying the cost of these thefts in the form of higher prices. Retailers themselves are doing what they can to deter gasoline theft. They are increasing staff training to effectively monitor what's happening at the pump islands. Many are installing cameras to provide police with videotape of the crime. And some have, reluctantly, gone to the extreme of requiring customers to pay for the gas before pumping, taking the "convenience" out of convenience store. The missing element in the all-out effort to eliminate "drive-offs" in New York is a tougher penalty to serve as a deterrent to those who might be tempted to steal gas -- the loss of driving privileges. A.7720-A addresses that need. The New York Association of Convenience Stores, representing more than 4,000 retail locations statewide selling motor fuel, commends Assemblyman Hoyt and his co-sponsors, and encourages passage of A.7720-A in order to provide an effective deterrent to the growing crime of gasoline theft. June 1, 2001 Home - About NYACS - Trade Show - The Industry - Membership - Contact Us - Issues - Tools
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