St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada (Signal High) —– The Niagara Regional Police (NRP) is, once again, occupying the spotlight after being exposed for questionable practices in respect to towing and collision recovery. Some might say that the tow industry occupies a special place in the economy — similar to liquor sales, unionized labour, gambling, and ‘adult entertainment’ — in that it has, in the past, been more susceptible to organized crime.
Evidence has surfaced, at the political level at least, that suggests the Niagara Regional Police may be straying from their established tow rota, granting preference to specific companies and tow operators in return for preferential treatment for its members — free towing services, discounts and cash deals for used cars, automobile repair services, and more. The NRP is no stranger to controversy in this respect. It has even been the subject of judicial inquiries where collusion and kickbacks were alleged in similar respect.
This writer spoke with a reliable source within the NRP on condition of anonymity. The source was direct, saying “the police are no different than any other part of society, where money can be made and savings can be found, people will take the kickbacks, the preferential treatment.” The source attributes this kind of activity to poorly enforced policies, lacking supervision, poor financial controls, and less than adequate management structures.
Recently, a group of tow operators approached the council that governs the Regional Municipality of Niagara, a border community in Southern Ontario that includes cities like St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, and others. They brought attention to the police showing preference to specific tow companies, and how one or two major players in the industry have capitalized on their relationship with police to monopolize the business.
While hard evidence was lacking, it appears, at the very least, that games are being played. One veteran tow truck operator spoke with this reporter under condition of anonymity, saying “if we don’t do the knock downs, give the free tows to [the police], we don’t get the calls – it’s as simple as that.” The operator provided the names of specific mid-level police officials who seem to control the rota, and therefore the business. We continue to investigate.
“The bottom line is that the companies that have their own repair shops, and give ‘freebies’ to the cops get the business when it comes to ‘roadside recoveries’ … it’s just part of the business.”
In response to consumer complaints, the government of Ontario assigned responsibility for supervising tow operators to the province and, in January 2024 started to take heavy enforcement action against rogue players. Investigations into the tow and recovery industry have resulted in thousands of charges and hundreds of arrests, some showing a direct connection between tow operators, organized crime organizations, and police.
If the NRP is, indeed, breaking its rota and granting preference in return for same, the proof will lie where their members are buying their cars, having them repaired, etc. It is here that Signal High will continue to focus its investigation. Persons with information that could improve our picture of this are asked to contact the writer directly at jack.english@signalhigh.news, or visit signalhigh.news and click Make a Report [direct]. We protect our sources.
Signal High will continue to investigate this report.
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