Indiana Lawmaker Again Pushes for More Security at C-Stores

The representative wants mandatory safety measures in place for 24/7 retailers, but stricter regulations for locations with a history of robberies.

October 02, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS – The safety of 24/7 convenience stores might be on the docket when the Indiana legislature reconvenes next year, WISH-TV reports. State Rep. Ed DeLaney once again is pressing for tougher regulations for convenience stores open overnight, but additional measures for locations that have been robbed in the past. DeLaney sponsored the bill last January after the shooting of two c-store clerks.

That bill didn’t make any headway. “We’ve had multiple incidents since and we will have more, multiple incidents, until we do something serious about this,” said DeLaney. “We have a limited number of bills we can file. I’m going to file this bill unless I can find someone to file it for me. We need to have this conversation in the Statehouse again.”

The Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association reiterated its position that individual stores should install appropriate security measures without the state’s interference. “We’ve opposed the bill in the past, and we will in the future,” said Scot Imus, executive director. “There's no foolproof, unfortunately, measure to take to stop these crimes. What research has shown, is good lighting,.. good visibility… little money in cash drawer [will help].”

In June 2012, the Indiana Department of Labor convened a committee that included Imus and DeLaney to draft recommended security measures for convenience stores. The report listed two options, one for “high risk” stores and one for “low risk” stores. Recommendations for the high-risk stores included having one of the following in place: bulletproof glass, emergency alarms, guards or closing down overnight.

NACS has many resources to help retailers maintain a safe and secure store for customers and employees alike.

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