Pre-pay policy to be initiated at Cape gas stations

Beginning May 1, drivers refueling in Cape Girardeau will have to pay for gas before they pump it.

At the request of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, local gas stations are implementing a prepay policy to reduce the number of drivers who fill their tanks and leave without paying.

Police expend significant resources investigating gas drive-offs, according to Darin Hickey, public information officer for the department.

"When a gas station believes that someone has driven off without paying for gas, they call the police department, and the officer at the front desk ... takes an initial report," Hickey said. "If it has just occurred, a dispatch is given over the radio for officers on the street to attempt to locate that vehicle. That report is then forwarded to one officer for investigation. That officer spends 80 to 85 percent of his time just investigating gas drive-offs."

The department has investigated 306 gas drive-offs in the last seven months, but few have resulted in criminal charges.

Kerensa Beasley, manager of Bi-State Oil, 612 S. Sprigg St., said the new policy may inconvenience some customers, but it is necessary.

"It's going to be a little bit of a hassle, yes, but I think your honest customers are going to understand," she said.

Bi-State customer Janet Stritzel agreed.

"I wouldn't like it myself, except I can understand from a business point of view, they have to protect themselves," said Stritzel, of Cape Girardeau. "Being an honest person, I can understand it."

Beasley said the biggest issue will be for customers planning to fill their tanks who are unsure about how much to prepay. Robin Monan of Mounds, Ill., is one of those customers.

"I drive a diesel, and I go to fill up. I can't say, 'I want $150 or $200 worth,'" he said.

Beasley said customers who plan to fill their tanks can overestimate their fuel cost, prepay the estimated amount, and get a refund for the difference.

She said about 50 to 60 percent of her customers already prepay at the pump.

"Most of the time, I prepay that way," said Dexter Rhodes of Anna, Ill. "I don't have to mess with going in, standing in line [while] everybody gets their sodas."

Monan and Jim Cobbs, also of Mounds, said for security reasons, they prefer not to use their credit cards at the pump.

"I'd just rather go inside and pay for it," Monan said.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

612 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO