MAYOR TAKES FURTHER STEPS AGAINST GASOLINE PRICE GOUGING

Mayor Don Plusquellic announced this afternoon that he is asking the Akron Police Department to investigate citizen complaints about price gouging at Akron gas stations. Calls into the Mayor’s Office from citizens have indicated some stations are charging as much as $4.00/gallon for gasoline. The city does not have an ordinance giving it the authority to shut down gas stations that may be raising prices extraordinarily, without due cause. However, the mayor said today there are steps that can be taken to protect citizens.

Mayor Plusquellic said today, "I have asked Chief Mike Matulavich to have his officers visit the stations in question and make documentation of the amount being charged consumers. They will take pictures of pricing signs and verify the information with the station representative on the premises. This information will then be directed to the office of the Ohio Attorney General, Betty Montgomery." The attorney general said today the state would enforce the Consumer’s Sales Protection Act in cases of gasoline price gouging. Station attendants will be notified that the information gathered could be sent to Columbus for further investigation. The price increases are being attributed to yesterday’s terrorist attacks.

The mayor also said, "Unfortunately, crises bring out the best and the worst in people. Most of what we have witnessed is the good in people. For some, though, to take advantage of this situation is unconscionable."

Citizens with complaints about specific gas stations should call the Akron Police Department at 375-2470.