CITGO Replies

I got a form reply to my open letter about CITGO, where the station attendant did not allow a woman customer to call 911 after she had been robbed at knifepoint.

Mr Codrea,

Thank you for your e-mail.

We are currently investigating this incident. Please understand that CITGO does not own or operate any retail outlets. However, we can (and will) take appropriate measures -- up to and including de-branding the station -- if such action is warranted.

CITGO is committed to operating as a good neighbor where we do business. Please be assured that we do not ignore nor take matters like this lightly.

Thank you for your interest in CITGO Petroleum Corp.

Sincerely,

Bruce McCall
Customer Service Representative
Midwest and Northeast Regions
x4886 or 1-800-423-8434, dial tone x6514
918-524-2114 - Fax
bmccall@citgo.com

We can't just let this go away from lack of scrutiny. I wrote him back:

Mr. McCall.

Thank you for your reply.

Will CITGO inform the public of how this has been resolved? It would seem we have a right to know if patronizing your franchises will result in similar treatment. Without evidence that the problem will not recur--including what you have done to assure that, and the outcome with the clerk and manager from the news account--I'm afraid I could not put myself, my family, or anyone I care about at risk.

Do you have an estimate for when we can expect such information?

Sincerely,

David Codrea

I'll report on his response--or the lack of one. If anyone else thinks adding their voice to this will help elicit a satisfactory outcome, feel free to do so.