CHARLOTTE — Residents are saying a local gas station is a nuisance because people outside harass others.
There were about six people Tuesday afternoon outside the Shell station on Sugar Creek Road south of Interstate 85.
The people there are aggressive, said Gary Marion, who lives close by.
“Got to the point where I was threatened and accosted,” Marion said.
He’s complained to the North Carolina Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services, as well as to the Charlotte City Council and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
There have been nearly 200 incidents within 500 feet of the Shell station in the past six months, according to a crime-mapping tool.
Nearly a third of those incidents were for disturbing the peace.
Assault, larceny, and drug and alcohol violations are the next most frequent.
Marion recently met at the gas station with CMPD and the area’s city councilwoman, Lawana Slack-Mayfield.
She said that CMPD asked the business owner to close earlier each day like other nearby businesses.
However, the store is still open 24/7.
CMPD has banned people from being at the Shell station, but the business still served those same people.
“That undermines that ban,” Mayfield said. “You’re taking away CMPD’s ability to do their job. For full transparency, I would encourage the community to utilize the other gas stations that are in the immediate area. Know who you’re spending your money with.”
CMPD said in a statement that it’s leveraging all its resources by adding cameras and meeting with businesses and concerned citizens.
Authorities are also trying to curb crime in the corridor, which has dropped slightly this year in the North Tryon Division.
The gas station owner has not responded with a comment.
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