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
BREAKING Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company. The offer of $2.50 per share comes from Trilogy Retail Holdings Inc. and Trilogy Investments L.P., which have a 56 per cent stake in Indigo and are owned by Gerald Schwartz, the spouse of Indigo chief executive Heather Reisman.
Latest deadly weather in U.S. kills at least 20 as storms carve path of ruin across multiple states
Powerful storms killed at least 20 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
What Canadian grocery shoppers need to know about anticompetitive allegations
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
North Korea launched a rocket likely carrying a second spy satellite. It's unclear if successful
North Korea launched a rocket likely carrying its second military spy satellite on Monday night, hours after its announcement of a plan to put a satellite into orbit drew strong rebukes from its neighbours.
She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor fatally shot in Los Angeles
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles while interrupting thieves Saturday, according to his agent and CNN affiliate KABC.
Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts global outcry
An Israeli airstrike triggered a massive blaze killing 45 people in a tent camp in the Gaza city of Rafah, officials said on Monday, prompting an outcry from global leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court ruling to halt Israel's assault.
A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.