Yes, it’s true.
Over the weekend, brazen thieves stole 88 rims and tires from vehicles at the Arthur Chrysler dealership.
Vehicles were propped up on blocks and wheels were stolen.
Checking in with folks we know there, no order or request was made to keep the company name out of press releases issued by the OPP.
Whether official policy or yet another example of a communications officer’s discretion gone amuck, all the media and conversely the public had to go on is this theft occurred at a Wellington North business.
Well, now people know and maybe they can assist.
It is our understanding that this episode falls in line with what has happened elsewhere. Other dealerships over time have had wheels lifted, tailgates pilfered and catalytic converters removed. The running joke long ago was parts courtesy of “midnight auto supply”.
But it isn’t funny and drives up costs for law abiding consumers and fellow business-people. It is a stress no one needs and we wish our friends at Arthur Chrysler well as they deal with this.
Curious to us is how, at such a busy spot at the intersection of Wellington Roads 12 and 109, just west of Highway 6, criminals could have their way so easily.
The compound was fenced, it takes time to change a tire, let alone dozens – how did this happen without someone noticing something? Do officers still include drive-throughs in their routine?
Unfortunately, as roads get busier and communities change, the “community will” to look out for one another changes. Everyone, (ourselves included on occasion) is in such a rush that things out of place don’t get noticed.
In the event something looks odd or abnormal, it would be unadvisable for residents to put themselves in a confrontational situation with would-be perpetrators. Call 911.
Thievery costs us all – keep an eye out.
It’s been a while
Recent events had us reflecting on grade school days.
Way back then, it seemed anyway, young “couples” in the throes of a break-up had to find someone to blame.
It set up a microcosm of controversy to avoid accountability – assigning blame to the other party. It was strange then, but nevertheless a tactic we have seen through our working life.
In recent days CBC announced hundreds of job losses as a result of deficits it cannot overcome. The digital giants took some blame, as did the government for not providing enough funding.
The week before, Torstar’s owner voiced opposition to a funding arrangement with Google that would see $100 million of newfound funds to assist the news business.
Again, not enough money.
Countless other digital organizations who staffed up during COVID, or whose growth projections failed to materialize, have announced employee cuts too.
We entirely understand the math involved, but we believe a missing element to these conversations includes accountability by management and that moment of introspection every organization needs to accept.
Are we performing a service that people want or do we need to take a close look at our product offering?
Blaming government agencies for business problems and the woes of non-profit news providers hardly sounds like a great long-term strategy, particularly when those same executives continue to accept bonuses for poor financial performance. It smacks of hypocrisy.
It’s time for some of these big shots to grow up and accept responsibility for their own state of affairs.
