Are high fuel prices affecting your department policies?

Top_Fuel

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The local news recently highlighted a police department that had already burned through half of their 2008 fuel budget by the end of March. That department is now advising officers not to idle their cars during long stops, and they are no longer allowing patrol cars to be taken home. They hinted that further steps may be required.

Are any of your departments experiencing this?
 

Iceman II

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Nothing yet. In fact I am very suprised we haven't, but I keep looking to find it coming though.
Then again, the bad guys are still going to be out there!
 

ZChaos0026

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My agency just changed our take home car policy to state that we can only drive our patrol cars to and from work, to and from court, and to and from exercising. We used to be able to run small errands (pick kids up from school, run to the store, etc.)

A county to the north of mine just changed their take home car policy to state that if they want to drive their cars home, they pay a fee, deducted from their paycheck. It was a hefty fee too...like 1000 or 1200 bucks.

Of course this also has to do with amendment 1 passing in FL.
 

92z28

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I'm interested in knowing if the high fuel cost has caused an increase in petty crimes. You know like stealing a bike and pawning it off for a few bucks or siphoning somebodies gas tank.
 

Red Mustang Gt

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No new policies about gas usage but some of us have been detailed to watch county pumps to see who's stealing gas for their own use/vehicles...sad.
 

Silver2003Cobra

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so far, nothing has been said/done to reduce the fuel I use in my GOV.. just don't use anything but the cheapest fuel out there (87 octane etc) and you'll be fine..

I've averaged about 200 gallons a month in the last 3 months of driving a GOV...
 

Greg_Hager

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In my small department (six officers, that includes the part-time chief) we haven't really changed much, but they're keeping a close(er) eye on the miles driven during the shift and how much we refuel. They're wanting to, "minimize the usage of the vehicles with the poor fuel economy." Well...that would work if we didn't all, except two people, drive SUVs. I drive a 4.0L Cherokee, the other patrolman drives a Tarus, Corporal drives a Grand Cherokee, Sergeant drives a Crown Vic, Lieutenant drives a Durango and there's another Crown Vic for a fleet vehicle.

Funny part? The Grand Cherokee gets the best fuel economy.
 

94ShoOff

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We've been advised not to leave the car idling when not in use. I believe they are looking at the take home cars to see if it will continue.

I've noticed gas drive-offs have gone through the roof.
 

96 chris

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I'm interested in knowing if the high fuel cost has caused an increase in petty crimes. You know like stealing a bike and pawning it off for a few bucks or siphoning somebodies gas tank.

Yeah I think we're going to see more gas syphoning again. It got pretty bad in the late 70's I've heard my dad say. We'll see though.
 

Greg_Hager

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I've noticed gas drive-offs have gone through the roof.
You know, come to think about it I haven't had a gas drive-off in over two months. Ever since it's gotten warm (and more expensive) everyone has been paying.

Granted, I just jinxed myself, but it's food for thought.
 

Smacked_in_ATL

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We've been advised not to leave the car idling when not in use. I believe they are looking at the take home cars to see if it will continue.

I've noticed gas drive-offs have gone through the roof.

How do you have gas drive-offs these days? I thought it was Prepay or CC, nothing else?
 

94ShoOff

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Half the time the pay at the pumps don't work, so the cashier turns them on expecting the person to come in to pay afterwards. I believe that the Speedways in our area refuse to have a pay first policy.
 

Greg_Hager

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Half the time the pay at the pumps don't work, so the cashier turns them on expecting the person to come in to pay afterwards. I believe that the Speedways in our area refuse to have a pay first policy.
GoMart around here is the same way. They say they will NOT go to a pre-pay system because they believe that they're getting more patronage because people don't like to pre-pay. :shrug:
 

Smacked_in_ATL

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In my area, if pay at the pump doesn't work, then you are taking your happy butt inside to pay cash or finding another pump. You would think states would put this into legislation.
 

jshen

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Interestingly enough, in GA. in addition to the criminal theft charges and penalties...it is a mandatory suspension of the license as well.
 

GT_Jim

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Interestingly enough, in GA. in addition to the criminal theft charges and penalties...it is a mandatory suspension of the license as well.

In Indiana you will lose your license if you're caught pumping and running.
 

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