Gas Driveoffs Not Problem in Fridley As in Coon Rapids

Customers who drive off without paying for gas are enough of a problem in Coon Rapids that the city is on the verge of requiring that gas stations require prepayment, according to KSTP-TV. 

It's an idea that has caught on around St. Louis, MO, but Coon Rapids would be the first city in Minnesota to put such a requirement on the books. Green Bay, WI, rejected a similar ordinance, the Star Tribune reported.

If Coon Rapids does adopt the proposed local law, the concept seems unlikely to spread across the city's southern border to Fridley, where a voluntary program keeps the problem in check. 

"I don't see a lot of drive off reports coming across my desk," said Fridley Police Lt. Mike Monsrud in an email Thursday. "I know a fair number of stations in
Fridley already require prepayment. We recommended that to store owners
several years ago when we had many gas drive offs. Many owners took us up
on the request and went to prepay pumps at that time."