Move comes in wake of death of worker who tried to stop gas-and-dash
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police will consider a resolution to encourage the province to introduce gas pre-payment at its meeting June 29.
The issue has come to the forefront following the death of worker who attempted to prevent a "gas-and-dash" at a Mississauga, Ont., Petro-Canada gas station. Hashem Atifeh Rad, 62, was killed after being run over by a motorist fleeing after stealing $75 worth of gas.
The resolution will be brought forward by an association member from Hamilton, said association spokesperson Joe Couto.
"Gas-and-dash" incidents concern the police association because they put the safety of station attendants and other motorists filling up at risk, said Couto.
The resolution will be voted on by members at the association’s annual general meeting at the end of the month. If it passes, it will be forwarded to the Ontario government for consideration.
“They pass the laws, we only make suggestions,” he said.
The Ministry of Labour is investigating the incident, but it is too premature to speculate on specific measures that could come as a result of the workplace fatality, spokesperson Greg Dennis said.
The Alberta Association of Police Chiefs is encouraging the same measure be enacted in that province. There is already a law in place in British Columbia requiring pre-payment. That law came in the wake of the death of Grant De Patie, an employee at an Esso station in Maple Ridge, B .C., who was killed on March 8, 2005, after trying to stop a driver who took off without paying for $12.30 in gas.
