N.B. police no longer respond to most gas theft reports, renew push for 'pay before you pump' legislation
Police in New Brunswick are no longer responding to ‘gas and dash’ reports unless there’s an immediate or ongoing threat to public safety.
The new procedures took effect last week, according to the New Brunswick Association of Chiefs of Police, representing the province’s nine municipal police chiefs and RCMP J Division commanding officer.
Association president Chief Gary Forward of the Woodstock Police Department said the move had been delayed for about a year, but was ultimately implemented with notice given to gas retailers in a March 25 letter.
“Between 2020 and 2023 we had roughly 5,200 (gas theft) complaints in the province of New Brunswick and we’ve equated that to about 18,000 hours of follow-up, attendance, and investigative outcome,” said Forward in an interview. “With everything that is going on with public safety and certainly priority threats and risk to society, is this the best use of police resources and time for something that could arguably be preventable?”
The association is telling retailers to report fuel theft to police agencies that offer online services “similar to those retailers reporting shoplifting incidents.”
The association has also renewed calls for the provincial government to create ‘pay before you pump’ legislation for all gas stations.
“If the methodology was changed we could virtually eliminate this particular crime,” said Forward. “And it certainly is preventable.
“It is entirely possible and certainly expected that we could reduce this particular crime, see it gone in a very short period of time.”
No plans for legislation: Austin
In a written statement Friday afternoon, Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said the provincial government had no plans to introduce pre-pay legislation at gas stations.
The department did contact gas retailers last year (at the request of police chiefs) to encourage the creation of voluntary pre-pay procedures.
“I understand that every police force has to prioritize the many calls it receives. As well, calls to report thefts under $5,000, where the theft has already occurred and there are no witnesses, do not often result in an immediate response,” said Austin in the statement. “However, I'm disappointed that local police and RCMP would take this approach and will be following up with them for further discussion.”
The Convenience Industry Council of Canada said it didn’t have any comment at this time regarding the new response procedures or police calls for a pre-pay law.
A few gas stations in New Brunswick have recently implemented individual ‘pay before you pump’ policies during the late evening hours. ‘Card only’ gas pumps have also become more common at gas stations, at all hours of the day.
In 2008, ‘pay before you pump’ legislation was enacted in British Columbia following the death of a gas attendant who was killed trying to stop a ‘gas and dash.’ In 2017, a similar law was introduced in Alberta.
“I see the day when everywhere in Canada will have that same service protection in place, to stop this sort of thing from occurring,” said CTV public safety analyst Chris Lewis in an interview. “The police argument that the service stations themselves could take action that would prevent the theft and therefore prevent response, or eliminate police response is very valid, because they can.”
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Thunderstorms with tornado risk in some areas in Ontario, snow elsewhere in Canada
Canadians can expect a mixed bag of weather, with forecasts warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow in some areas across western Canada.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
opinion Joe Biden uses bully pulpit to bully Donald Trump on debates
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
'All hell broke loose': Passengers on Singapore Airlines flight describe nightmare at 37,000 feet
Passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday described a sudden, dramatic drop as 'all hell broke loose' on board the Boeing airliner carrying 229 passengers and crew.
3 people dead after stabbing in Plateau-Mont-Royal: Montreal police
Three people are dead after they were stabbed in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough Tuesday evening, police say.
Cybercriminals threaten to leak London Drugs data if it doesn't pay $25M ransom
Last month’s cyberattack on pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs that forced the closure of all its stores in Western Canada was orchestrated by a 'sophisticated group of global cybercriminals' who are demanding a ransom—and say they’ll leak the company’s data if it doesn’t pay up.
How to remove ticks and what to know about these bloodsuckers
Ticks are parasitic bloodsuckers, capable of spreading deadly disease, and they’re becoming increasingly common. Here’s what you need to know about them.