An Indiana town is requiring gas stations to close overnight in response to an uptick in violent crime across the city.
City leaders in Hammond, 25 miles south of Chicago, voted 7-2 Monday in favor of requiring the gas stations to close between midnight and 5 a.m., FOX Chicago reported.
The measure will impact 37 gas stations. City leaders said violent crime – often involving firearms – have occurred at gas stations late at night and in the early morning hours over the last several years.
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Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott voiced his support of the ordinance after a murder that occurred at a gas station after 2 a.m. in July.
"A lot of the crime taking place in our city happens after hours at gas stations. We've talked about this for a number of years," he said at the time. "It was time to put my foot down and say this is enough."
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Gas stations located along freeways and toll roads have the option to petition to be excluded from the measure.
The ordinance takes effect on Nov. 1.
