north metro

I only tried to buy gas in Coon Rapids once since the pre-pay. My Cub coupon card didn't work and the clerk couldn't do the math to figure out the coupon discount. As the article notes, if I want to buy something inside,it is two transactions. It is inconvenient to gas up in Coon Rapids. It is no inconvience for me to get my gas elsewhere. So I do.

"The benefit is obvious, and it's worth it. I know some citizens are irritated by the inconvenience. When people know the benefit to the town, they will view the inconvenience as worth it," said Police Chief Brad Wise. "I am a Coon Rapids resident. I have skin in the game. I am doing the best to make this town the safest I can." Um, Chief, is your duty the sole consideration in the issue? Best get out once in a while & realize the world is more than about your particular job. None of the other neighboring communities have such an ordinance, making this problematic. Witness Gov. Dayton's state tax increase proposals on national & international firms - they just pick up & move elsewhere. Pretty insular, limited opinion.

I dont buy gas anymore in Coon Rapids because its too much of a pain. I usually fill the tank and go in and buy some coffee or something. Yes...I could go in and "prepay"..but then I may not fill up the tank. Someone wasnt thinking this one through too much. I just buy in Andover or keep going south to Fridley.

This hardly seems like something that should be regulated at the city level... our cities cannot act as islands. Leave it to the state to make such a change or at least reach an agreement county-wide to do something so drastic.

we the cub discount inconvient at first, but now we have the cub discount card which eliminates having to go inside before fillng up. I'm surprised anyone is not using credit cards for gas these days.

I'm glad that the the area I live in or work in doesn't have a crime problem that would justify such drastic measures... did I mention I live in Brooklyn Park and work in Minneapolis. If I lived in Coon Rapids I would suggest to my City Council that they make the gas stations sign an agreement that lets them drop the prepay but inposes a service fee of $250 for every police call for driveoffs that doesnt have a picture of a license plate and 5100 for police calls for driveoffs with a legible picture of a license plate. If nothing changes some of the gas stations will be forced out of business, which will hurt the local area. The empty stores can be filled with check cashing stores, pawn shops, liquor stores, and tatto parlors but don't we have enough of them in the Northern Suburbs already? Your friend across the river Habib

I'm sorry I meant $100 not 5100, fat finger error

Next they are going to outlaw the internet because of the content you MAY find! Way to go Chief!

Since when do we regulate local business by how much work it adds to the local police. If the Coon Rapids Police had their way they would shut down pawn shops, bars and liquor stores. The police dept. is charged with upholding the laws, not making them.

"There are business issues on one side of the issue, in my mind. The broader community impact is on the other side of the issue," Johnson said.. +++ The negative impacts on these business's also has a negative impact on the broader community with lower sales, fewr employed, and some closing. I do not use credit cards to pay for gas as I am nearing retirement my debt is kept as low as possible. All these extra card transactions do cost the business.