With the average price of gas in the city topping $4.47 a gallon, police nationwide are warning to watch out for gas thieves.
The city schools, MBTA, businesses and consumers are all eyeing the rocketing hike in gas prices — but now there’s more to be wary of.
A Boston Public Schools spokeswoman told the Herald “the large recent increase in gas prices is impacting BPS Transportation,” and the city is still studying how to respond.
Gas cheats are also “driving off” from gas stations around the country while others are cutting gas lines to siphon off fuel from unsuspecting motorists, according to multiple reports from around the nation.
“Thieves are not just siphoning gas out of the tank, they are drilling a hole in the tank leading to an expensive repair,” CNN reported.
Another police department warned, “It’s time to start considering prevention options to deter gas thieves from targeting your vehicle.” Some of the tips included:
- Invest in a quality locking gas cap (even if your fuel door locks) to help make it inconvenient for a thief to steal your liquid gold. Some cheaper versions can be defeated by an aggressive twist or drilled through so it can then be removed. So choose wisely.
- Try to park in well-lit, well-traveled locations.
- Park in your garage whenever possible. I understand garages can make for convenient storage locations, but start your spring-cleaning early and get your garage cleaned out so it can be used for what it’s meant for.
- Avoid parking in public places for extended periods of time. For example, rather than leaving your car in the airport parking lot for a week, ask a friend or neighbor for a ride.
- Position your vehicle so the fuel door can be seen from a main road.
- If you utilize park-and-ride locations, try to park in outer-perimeter parking spots for increased visibility from passersby.
- Begin carpooling with friends or co-workers to minimize the necessity of parking your vehicle in a parking garage or large parking lot.
- Remember to call 911 if you see suspicious behavior such as someone putting a siphon into a gas tank or squatting near or underneath park cars.
Governors across the country are also appealing to federal authorities to suspend the gas tax to give motorists some relief as they look to cut gas taxes locally. That, as the Herald reported this week, failed in Massachusetts.
“At this time of global uncertainty due to Russian aggression, we are working with our legislative partners on an emergency suspension of the gas tax to help with pain at the pump,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said.
In Massachusetts, House Speaker Ron Mariano dismissed cutting the gas tax — calling it a “political stunt.”
Paul Craney of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance criticized the voice vote over the gas tax cut, saying it was “disappointing that House lawmakers play games to protect themselves from hard votes while motorists are still left paying the highest recorded prices for a gallon of gasoline.”
State House News Service contributed.
Read More: Gas hits $4.47 in Boston as police warn of fuel thieves