Glenn wants pipes out of view

LIMA - Councilman Derry Glenn wants to no longer see smoking pipes and other paraphernalia at area gas stations and convenience stores.

On Thursday, Glenn, who represents the 6th Ward, called on store owners to dump or hide from minors the items that are legal to sell but often used for illegal purposes.

"I'm not trying to tell people what to sell or trying to stop their business. I'm not trying to tell adults what to do," Glenn said. "I want them to give our kids some respect."

Glenn asked Law Director Tony Geiger to research the issue. At a minimum, Glenn said he will ask for a City Council resolution requesting store owners to restrict access to and view of the items. Glenn will refer the issue to the council's Safety Service Committee.

Geiger is researching the legality of a ban or requiring restrictions, he said, and he doesn't yet know what authority the city may have.

While some shops selling the items require customers to be 18 and older, gas stations and convenience stores are frequent stops for children buying candy or soda while walking home from school, Glenn said.

The items have shown up recently, especially in his ward, Glenn said, as "foreign people" are now running the stores.

"I grew up in this area and never saw this stuff until now," Glenn said.