Summary of Responses to Gasoline Drive-Offs
The table below summarizes the responses to gas drive-offs, the mechanisms by which they are intended to work, the conditions under which they ought to work best, and some factors you should consider before implementing a particular response. It is critical that you tailor responses to local circumstances and that you can justify each response based on reliable analysis. In most cases, an effective strategy will involve taking several different measures. Law enforcement responses alone are seldom effective in reducing or solving the problem.
| Response No. | Response | How It Works | Works Best If… | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increasing the Risks of Gasoline Drive-Offs by Improving Surveillance | ||||
| 1 | Increasing staff levels at peak times | Increases employee surveillance of the pumps | ...the pump island is visible, so store employees can easily watch customers in peak theft hours | Expensive and may only be justified in large facilities |
| 2 | Using an intercom to greet customers | Reduces felt anonymity and deters gasoline thefts | ...the employee and customers establish a dialogue by intercom or in person | Inexpensive; especially effective in peak periods and on single-staffed shifts |
| 3 | Providing employees with professional training | Employees are more likely to notice suspects and take preventive action | ...training sessions are organized together with police; an 800 emergency number is provided to staff | Training is costly, but can improve relationships with local police |
| 4 | Ensuring that the pump area is well-lit | Improves natural surveillance, dissuades would-be gas thieves, and reduces customer fear | ...lighting is protected with weather and vandal-resistant coverings; light sources minimize glare and intrusiveness | Effective lighting involves relatively high running costs, but all convenience stores should be well-lit |
| 5 | Making it easier for clerks to see the pumps | Increases employee surveillance of the pump island | ...all store window coverings are removed and view of the pumps is not restricted by shrubs, trees, etc. | Store register need not be located in the center of the store as long as clerks have clear view of pumps |
| 6 | Employing qualified security personnel | Offenders are more likely to be apprehended | ...security officers are positioned at strategic points in around the site at high-risk times | Very expensive; might only be justified in dealing with sharp rises in incidents |
| 7 | Using closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras | Increases the probability of arrest as well as serving as a deterrent | ...the installed system is adequate to meeting law enforcement needs for identification and prosecution of offenders and is combined with license plate recognition | CCTV requires trained staff to monitor and maintain the cameras |
| 8 | Deploying interactive video monitoring (IVM) | Enables a remote control room operator to monitor hundreds of cameras at many different sites; allows managers to view cameras when not on-site | ...primarily used to monitor and verify alarm activation signals and dispatch responders | Very expensive to install and to monitor effectively, but allows highly versatile monitoring |
| 9 | Using scan-data analysis | Proprietary programs gather information about all transactions at the pumps, including gas drive-offs: permits identification of high-risk pumps and high-risk times | ...qualified analysts are employed to analyze the data and preventive action is taken on the basis of any patterns in drive-offs that are revealed | The programs are expensive for individual stores to use and might be of greatest value for retail chains |
| 10 | Introducing a postpay system | Customers register their names and addresses in advance and are issued a card: eliminates the inconvenience of pre-pay | ...customers drive off without paying, the card is immediately deactivated and their names and address are given to the police | This is primarily a method of identification; it makes it easier to prosecute offenders; ensures that gas customers enter the store |
| Increasing the Difficulty of Gasoline Drive-Offs | ||||
| 11 | Imposing mandatory pre-pay | Significantly reduces the opportunity for gas drive-offs and makes it easier to prosecute offenders | ...pre-pay is instituted 24/7, but less impact on sales if used only for some pumps at certain times | Fewer customers may make purchases in-store; some customers might switch to nearby retailers without prepay |
| 12 | Installing pay-at-the-pump equipment | Prevents fuel thefts as fuel is not dispensed until cash, debit, or credit cards are inserted into the pump | ...the store does not depend upon in-store sales for its profits; customers become comfortable using pumps like vending machines | Convenient for customers who simply want to get gas; reduces stress on clerks who no longer must watch the pumps while serving in-store customers |
| 13 | Controlling access to fuel dispensers | Prevents would- be offenders from filling up | ...offenders are prevented from gaining access to the internal components of the fuel dispensers | An innovative technology that protects access to pump electronics and limits offline fueling access |
| 14 | Reducing escape points from the site | Drivers can be prevented from easily "escaping" by minimizing the entrances/exits, reducing their width, and using perimeter fencing and bollards | ...fences are expanded metal, welded mesh or paladin; minimum height of 6 ft.; Quickthorn or Hawthorn hedging are planted next to the fence and kept trimmed to increase security | A one-time expense, but an essential component of a well-managed site |
| Responses with Limited Effectiveness | ||||
| 15 | Discouraging gasoline theft through warnings | Placing a sign on the pump which includes a simple message that gives possible offenders second thoughts | ...placed directly by the pumps | Most research suggests that publicity campaigns of this kind are rarely effective |
Free Bound Copies of the Problem Guides
You may order free bound copies in any of three ways:
Online: Department of Justice COPS Response Center
Email: askCopsRC@usdoj.gov
Phone: 800-421-6770 or 202-307-1480
Allow several days for delivery.
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Gas Drive Offs
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