Is county’s solution for gas station crimes right fix?

After community uproar over a rash of car thefts and break-ins in a concentrated area of Fulton County, commissioners agreed recently to require gas stations and convenience stores where crimes take place to improve their security and hire guards or risk losing their license to sell alcohol.

The move only applies to unincorporated Fulton County, most of which will become its own city this spring. Once the new city is formed, leadership there will have to decide if they want to mirror the county’s law.

High profile targets — actress, singer, rapper Queen Latifah and former Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington Sr. — brought more light to a growing problem. Last year, there was a 12 percent increase in car thefts in the unincorporated part of the county and a 17 percent increase in thefts from motor vehicles.

The new law applies to businesses that sell gasoline where the following crimes have taken place: murder, robbery, theft by taking, sexual battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery kidnapping or false imprisonment. Other unspecified crimes could also trigger the law, which would go into effect after one incident.

As part of the new law, gas stations would be required to have a security guard as well as a security camera system, a lighted parking lot, height markers on doors, a silent alarm to law enforcement and windows that have an unobstructed view. The stations also could not have tinted windows and would be required to train employees on robbery deterrence. If they don’t, they could lose their ability to sell alcohol. But an alcohol license cannot be suspended or revoked without a hearing in front of an administrative judge.

Will these measures help reduce crime? Is putting the responsibility on the business owners the right move? Or should another solution be considered? Tell us what you think. Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com. Responses may be published in print and/or online.