Exactly one month from today, it will be mandatory for gas stations to receive payment before letting customers fill up a gas tank.

Earlier this year, Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn asked the City Council to pass a pre-payment ordinance. The request was made when gas prices started going up, and so did gasoline drive-off thefts.

Shreveport Police Sgt. Jim Taliaferro says the new rules will have several benefits: decrease drive-off gasoline thefts, decrease profit loss of area gas stations, and decrease reports of crime in Shreveport. Taliaferro says when more crimes are reported, the numbers could scare potential businesses or families away who are thinking about relocating to Shreveport.

Taliaferro clarifies, the new pay-before-you-pump ordinance is not to discourage business owners from reporting legitimate concerns; the new ordinance will help Shreveport gain control over a preventable crime.

The rule goes into effect October 15, 2008.