Hammond considers closing gas stations overnight to curb violence
HAMMOND, Ind. (CBS) -- The city of Hammond, Indiana, is considering a different approach to try and cut down crime. It involves shutting down all gas stations during the overnight hours.
The Hammond Common Council is set to vote Monday evening on an ordinance that would require gas stations to close between midnight and 5 a.m. Supporters say it's for the sake of slashing crime, saying the stations have become an easy target for criminals, because they are frequented by drivers from the surrounding area taking advantage of lower gas prices.
It's a proposal that's stirring controversy, especially at the 24-hour gas stations many drivers in northwest Indiana rely on.
The turnover at the pump at the Shell gas station along Calumet Avenue was steady on Monday. The foot traffic inside the shop is also on par.
That's usually the case late into the night, with everyone from truckers to first responders looking to fill up.
"There's a lot of money drops, there's a lot of stuff sold; so definitely a lot of traffic coming in," said cashier Valerie Whitehead.
That could soon change, as a new ordinance being considered by the Hammond common council would force all 37 gas stations in town to shut down between midnight and 5 a.m.
It's designed to curb crime, but Whitehead said it would curb her revenue.
"Five hours doesn't seem like a lot, but for companies and businesses, it is for sure, especially with diesel. They pump $300 to $400 at a time, so that's a lot of money lost," she said.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott sees it differently, citing a recent fatal shooting at a local Luke gas station, where a 33-year-old Chicago man was killed. McDermott said a crackdown on late-night crime at gas stations is necessary, even though he admits the latest crime stats don't exactly paint a grim picture.
"It's time to put my foot down and say this is enough," McDermott said. "Crime has been down over the past 20 years, generally, but crime is still too high."
It's an ordinance dividing many drivers.
"I think it's a bad idea," said resident Clarence Gorre. "I don't think they should shut this gas station down. I frequent this gas station. I don't think there's that much crime happening like that. There's crime everywhere."
Creacy James feels different.
"Yes, they need to be done, because the city do it some gas stations, but like I say, Chicago don't care, but, yes, Indiana, I've been out here too long, and it needs to be safer than what it is," James said.
While some agree with the mayor on curtailing opportunities for would-be criminals, others think it will cause more problems than solutions.
"We have a lot of steel mills here, and a lot of workers work midnights, or work 4 to 12s, and that's the only time that they're out and about," Hammond resident John Ramirez said.
"I don't think this should be so immediate. Maybe we just need more of a police presence?" Hammond resident Jeremy Hendrick said.
If the ordinance passes, gas station owners would have an opportunity to petition the Hammond Board of Public Works & Safety for an exception to the mandatory closure rule.
McDermott said a station's location – whether on a main highway or near a toll roadway – will play a role in whether they get an exception.
According to McDermott, the ordinance itself does not have much opposition in the Common Council, and all signs show it will likely pass during their 6 p.m. meeting on Monday. He has said, if he does pass, and it gets to his desk, he will sign it.