The owner of Sarnia's Preferred Towing has raised concerns about fallout from the establishment of a Collision Reporting Centre at Sarnia Police Headquarters.
In a letter to Mayor Mike Bradley, forwarded to the police services board, Gary Vandenheuvel said with officers no longer attending collision scenes unless personal injury is involved, charges are not laid, leaving it up to insurance companies to determine fault.
"This is like leaving the fox in charge of the henhouse," wrote Vandenheuvel. "My personal experience has been that the insurance companies no longer waive the deductible fee for the not-at-fault driver."
Vandenheuvel said the establishment of reporting centres across the province is resulting in great savings for insurance companies, and he expressed concern that damaged, unsafe vehicles are being driven to the centres.
Board member Mike Stark said Vandenheuvel's concerns warrant further investigation.
"In some respects, he's in a bit of a position of conflict of interest, but on the other side of the coin, he raises a great point about transporting or driving vehicles from accident scenes to the reporting centre that are unfit for driving, and that's evidenced by the fact that when they get there, they have to be towed away."
Deputy Chief Owen Lockhart told the police board the reporting centre has been a great success so far.
"We have not received any complaints from the public about the Collision Reporting Centre or any other towing services, it's been fantastic actually. Mr. Vandenheuvel saying it's a disservice to the service, I'd have to disagree. With the time that it's freeing up for officers on the road, it's actually a service to the community."
Stark said the issue calls for balance on both sides.
"I agree with the deputy chief that [the centre] is in fact helping us as it relates to manpower deployment, but on the other side, the last thing we need is having vehicles being moved that aren't fit to be moved," he said.
Board members unanimously called for the police service to investigate Vandenheuval's concerns and report back.