Three North Carolina gas stations are deploying crime-fighting canines at the pumps as an added security measure for customers following a string of robberies and carjackings over the past year.
The trio of Sheetz gas stations have hired K-9 units to keep customers in Greensboro safe in the wake of the thefts and the fatal shooting of an off-duty cop who was trying to stop a robbery at one of the chain’s locations at the end of last year, WFMY News 2 reported.
Signs reading “Your safety is our priority! K-9 units on-site,” have popped up at Sheetz stations in Greensboro.
“The safety of our customers and employees at Sheetz is a top priority. We continually assess which stores need additional support and have implemented supplemental security measures, including K-9 units, at several Greensboro store locations as an additional safety measure,” a spokesperson for the company told the local CBS News affiliate station.
The specially-trained dogs will be provided by private Virginia-based company American K-9 Interdiction at the Sheetz gas stations on Wendover Avenue, West Market Street and Spring Garden Street, according to the station.
One local told local Fox station WGHP that the dogs are sorely needed at those three locations.
“It’s good. Folks don’t know how to act in public. Folks being ignorant so if they can’t follow the rules, let them get bit,” Greensboro native Michael Rogers said.
Other residents were less convinced.
“I don’t know what you would need the K-9 for unless you’re going for drugs or something like that. Other than that, it’s just another policeman,” driver Henry Boyd said, referring to drug-sniffing dogs.
Another Sheetz customer wondered why the stores didn’t just hire security guards like other shopping centers have done.
“I feel like that’s something that can be controlled by not dogs. You’ve got places like Allied Security who goes around Friendly Shopping Center until 11 o’clock. So, why can’t you take them jobs?” Christopher Harper told WFMY.
