Dozens of Chicago-area gas stations forced to slash hours over crime surge
Hammond, Indiana, requiring gas stations to close from midnight to 5 am
Video shows attempted theft on Aug. 2 at Safe Credit Union in North Sacramento. (Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office/BODY CAMS+/TMX)
An Indiana town is requiring gas stations to close overnight in response to an uptick in violent crime across the city.
City leaders in Hammond, about 25 miles south of Chicago, voted 7-2 Monday in favor of requiring the gas stations to close between midnight and 5 a.m., FOX Chicago reported.
The measure will affect 37 gas stations. City leaders said violent crime – often involving firearms – have occurred at gas stations late at night and in the early morning hours over the last several years.
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Hammond, Indiana, will require gas stations within its city limits to close overnight because of violent crime. (Fox Chicago / Fox News)
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott voiced his support of the ordinance after a murder that occurred at a gas station after 2 a.m. in July.
"A lot of the crime taking place in our city happens after hours at gas stations. We've talked about this for a number of years," he said at the time. "It was time to put my foot down and say this is enough."
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Gas stations located along freeways and toll roads have the option to petition to be excluded from the measure.
The ordinance takes effect on Nov. 1.