Despite rumors, Detroit still has gas left in the tank

Earlier this week, Detroit police officer, blogger, and political gadfly John Bennett posted an item on his website Detroit Uncovered alleging that fuel stations for city-owned vehicles were out of gas, leaving some cars involuntarily parked.

We know the city’s fiscal situation is bad, but is Detroit so broke that it can’t afford to fill the tank? Or tanks, really. When you add up all the police cars, garbage trucks, DDOT buses and other city vehicles, Detroit needs a lot more gasoline than even your average Chevy Suburban.

Deadline Detroit asked Mayor Dave Bing’s press secretary Naomi Patton about the situation. She said the gas shortage story is “not true.”

“Over the weekend, one pump station was low and we refilled it,” Patton said.

Things may be tough in Detroit, but for right now at least, the city says it has some gas left in its tanks. 

Still, Bennett argues it's time park non-essential city cars and save the gas supply for police cars, ambulances, and other critical vehicles. Gas shortage or no, that's probably not the worst idea in the world.