Coon Rapids Council to Take Ideas on Requiring Pre-pay for Gas

Buying gas in Coon Rapids could become a pre-pay-only proposition, depending on the outcome of a work session the city's council will hold Tuesday, according to media reports. 

The council delayed a vote last month and now is asking gas station owners and others for their thoughts on a new ordinance, according to the Star Tribune:

Depending upon what council members hear, they could ask city staff to investigate those alternatives, or they could ask for the ordinance to be put back on the council agenda for a vote.

, but that's voluntary; the city's police department encouraged it several years ago, Fridley Police Lt. Mike Monsrud said.

The Coon Rapids Herald reported that when the city’s crime figures

are compared with the national average, the only class 1 crime which exceeds the average is theft, according to [Police Chief Brad] Wise.

Through Nov. 1, 2011, there were 456 no pay theft reports and 10 citations, Wise said. In 70 (15.3 percent) of the reported cases, the vehicle in question had stolen plates on it, he said.

If Coon Rapids adopts a pre-pay requirement, it would be the first city with such an ordinance in the state, the Herald said. 

There must be something in the north-metro water: Fridley recently became the first city in Minnesota to .

For a quick look at local gas prices, see the new Traffic & Gas feature at Fridley Patch. On Sunday night, the cheapest in Fridley was at BP, 6485 E. River Rd., and , 5667 University Ave. NE.