Not to be outdone by the federal government in meddling, Jeffersonville takes aim at a group of small businesses:
The Jeffersonville City Council is considering an ordinance that would make drivers pay before pumping gasoline -- an effort to reduce the number of people who speed away from gas stations without paying.
The problem has become worse since fuel prices soared to $4 a gallon or more, said Police Chief Tim Deeringer. The police department gets up to 10 or 15 calls a day about drive-offs, Deeringer said, but often there is little police can do.
[. . .]
The proposed ordinance would make stores that sell gasoline and diesel fuel require payment in advance, either with cash or credit card at the pump. It would fine retailers up to $2,500 for not complying.
Why stop there? Find out the most common hours the drive-offs happen and forbid the stations to be open during those hours. Require the stations to put in strong lights spotlighting the pumps and hire armed guards and trained dogs and install speed bumps at the entrances and exits.
The story notes that "some wonder if customers will go elsewhere to buy gas if they have to prepay at Jeffersonville gas stations." Think the council cares? I know which gas stations in my driving patterns require prepay and which don't. Guess which ones I go to?
