Small Business Owners in London Fed Up with Police Response

Several small business owners in a commercial area of southwest London, Ont., report that they’ve lost thousands of dollars in equipment and tools to theft recently, and even after filing police reports right away, they’re still waiting for any follow-up on their cases.

Nicholas Waldram, who runs Eavesafe Gutter Protection, stated he’s down more than $40,000 after someone stole his trailer loaded with valuable tools and materials from outside his shop at the Wonderland Business Park last Friday night.

“I thought I had all the precautions taken,” he said. “I had hitch locks on the trailer, security cameras and an alarm system but all these deterrents didn’t matter; they just pulled [everything] up, cut the locks off and within six minutes they were gone.”

Waldram mentioned that at least five other businesses in the complex have also faced similar thefts of trailers over the past four months.

He attempted to file a police report the next morning but was told to do it online instead. After waiting hours for a confirmation from police, he made multiple calls to the non-emergency line until finally an officer took his details over the phone.

“They kept brushing me off and said it would be a waste of police resources to send someone out. They talked about being short-staffed, which is valid, but I just wanted to file a police report,” he shared.

Wonderland Business Park is located at the intersection of Wharncliffe Road and Wonderland Road South. Business owners at this complex say they’ve had trailers stolen from their parking spots. (Submitted by Nicholas Waldram)

Waldram feels that despite these ongoing incidents, law enforcement isn’t treating property theft seriously enough. He sent police video footage from his personal camera showing an SUV arriving at his trailer and towing it away. He believes that no one has even looked at what he submitted.

“I don’t even know that anyone has even looked at what I sent,” he said. “It just doesn’t feel human that I can’t talk to a police officer in person.”

London police confirmed there is an investigation underway but did not respond to CBC’s questions regarding delays in addressing property theft cases.

Business Owners Increasing Their Own Security

A few doors down from Waldram’s establishment, Mountain Stone Countertops and Kitchens also experienced a trailer theft in June; owner Ray Hassounah stated this resulted in a $16,000 loss. He filed an online report immediately but hasn’t heard back from law enforcement yet.

“It’s been very frustrating because we’re small businesses here trying to survive and we’re getting our things stolen,” he explained. “We’ve had to lay off three workers because we have no tools for them to work with.”

Both Waldram and Hassounah mentioned they’ve spent between $2,000 and $5,000 each installing additional cameras and locks for their doors and trailers while adding Apple air tags on equipment inside those trailers.

Hassounah believes Old Oak Properties – the company owning the business center – needs better on-site security measures like gating both entrances of the property.

A spokesperson for Old Oak Properties named Robert Bierbaum stated via email that “Tenants are notified not to leave items in public parking as it’s accessible to everyone; doing so carries a risk of items going missing if left unattended.”

Of the two entrances into the complex, only one on Wharncliffe Road is gated while Wonderland Road South remains open; businesses believe having gates on both sides could deter thieves effectively. (Submitted by Nicholas Waldram)

Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen noted that increased funding for police is crucial for improving response times. He advises residents continue reporting incidents so resources can be allocated appropriately within specific areas.

“We’re not meeting reasonable expectations that businesses and residents have when it comes to adequate policing access,” he said. “Our city is growing rapidly which requires us keeping pace with our policing needs.”

“While it might seem like they’re not paying attention online sometimes; fact is they’re trying hard; however proper funding for policing will ultimately fix this situation.”

Waldram also faces having laid off two employees himself while advocating for better protections for small business owners like him.
An Old Oak representative has expressed willingness to collaborate with him regarding enhanced security measures.

“My employees all have families relying on them putting food on their tables just as I do,” he emphasized.      < p></ p>></small>Any business relies heavily upon its physical assets for daily operations-if those assets get stolen then people lose their jobs.” < p></ p>></small>How does our economy keep moving forward?”>

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