CLEVELAND – Tiscisia Cole, a mother of four from Cleveland, explains that she feels nervous almost every time she goes to a gas station in town to refuel her car.
Cole was saddened by the shooting of a 19-year-old man at the Mobile gas station on Euclid Avenue and East 153rd Street on Memorial Day. East Cleveland detectives are still looking for suspects in the shooting that occurred just before 6 p.m.
She said she hopes gas stations in Cleveland and East Cleveland will put more security measures in place at their locations.
“Why the owners don’t take the safety factor seriously, why do they feel they can handle it themselves,” said Cole. “If you go in there everyone is safe behind that counter except us, that’s all I can tell you.”
“You are responsible for what I believe happens on your premises when someone walks into your business.”
“Petrol stations work like clubs for me, they look like clubs. As a mother, I hope and pray that no mothers leave their children in the car. “
Black on Black Crime Inc. president Al Porter told News 5 that his organization was ready to participate in more security marches and protests at gas stations with chronic violence problems.
“These gas stations need to hire more private security guards,” Porter said. “Don’t tell me the gas stations can’t afford that, some of these gas stations are open 24 hours a day.”
“Certain organizations come to a point where we try to boycott gas stations with chronic problems.”
Ward 8 Cleveland City Councilor Michael Polensek said additional security measures were needed but said there likely won’t be any real changes unless alcohol licenses in problem locations are challenged.
“We need more police on the street, we need more cameras, the security cameras that we have been asking and begging for for over two years,” said Polensek.
“If Ohio State Liquor Enforcement Control doesn’t really make it onto the plate and work with the Cleveland Police, we won’t see any improvement in these facilities, it goes without saying.”
News 5 reached out to the owner of the East Cleveland Gas Station for their opinion on the safety of their location, we are still awaiting a response.
The East Cleveland Police Department asked if you were in the 15317 Euclid Avenue (Mobile Gas) area and have any information about the investigation. Please contact the East Cleveland Detective Bureau at (216) -681-2162.
Meanwhile, Cole said additional gas station security in urban locations couldn’t come soon enough.
“We’re vulnerable when you have kids, we’re more vulnerable,” said Cole. “Loitering laws and safety would help. It would help mothers like me and the elderly.”
