Some gas stations hire private security

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Threats of violence at gas stations led to beefed up security Thursday as people rushed in droves to fuel up.

"We are going to start a riot," yelled a customer who identified herself as Catirra.

Police had to step in at a Wal-Mart gas station on Sardis Road North because a fight almost broke out when Catirra allegedly cut in line.

"It made me angry," said customer Gloria Houston. "I've been sitting here for five hours."

Wednesday night people started lining up at gas stations after fear spread because of the ongoing fuel shortage in the Southeast.

"What ya'll want us to do, walk?" questioned Catirra. "Where are we supposed to go?" 

Police forced Catirra to leave at the request of gas station management.  People clapped and cheered.

Wednesday night at the same southeast Charlotte Wal-Mart gas station, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer broke his wrist when he tried to tackle a belligerent customer.

"People are impatient, not wanting to cooperate, wanting to do their own thing, wanting to be first, wanting to argue," said Larry Barger of Delta Company Police, a private security firm.

Some Exxon gas stations around Charlotte hired private security to control traffic and keep customers safe.

"It's a mad house," said Barger. "We've got reports not where we've been but people pulling guns on people. We got a report of a guy beating another car with a baseball bat this morning."