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Jeep Paying Toledo Police for Extra Security at Toledo North

A source passed along an invoice that details the amount of money that Jeep is paying Toledo Police for extra security at the Toledo North Assembly plant. I was curious of any ToledoTalk-ers who work at Jeep know anything about the reasons for the hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent on TPD officers to patrol or perform investigative work.

The other issue, of course, is if TPD even belongs at the plant, given the already high rates of crime in Toledo. True, the city appears to be getting reimbursed, but the selfish taxpayer in me wants TPD cruising my neighborhood instead of the Jeep plant.

created by historymike on Apr 05, 2008 at 11:18:03 am     Comments: 10

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Comments ... #

I haven't seen any uniformed officers nor marked cars at TNAP, and I've worked both the morning & afternoon shifts.

posted by GraphicsGuy on Apr 05, 2008 at 02:46:10 pm     #



You wouldn't see marked cars, since it's likely the officers would be on "project". They'd arrive in their own vehicles. It would be like a 2nd job for them.

But they'd be in official uniform, unless for some reason Jeep told them to dress in some other sort of security outfit. That would be a new thing as far as I know.

posted by GuestZero on Apr 05, 2008 at 06:19:41 pm     #



I have seen neither uniformed police or anyone who seemed to be out of place.

posted by JeepMaker on Apr 05, 2008 at 09:42:31 pm     #



Although the 'invoices' are, at first glance 'damning', the whole thing isn't making sense.

Being an outside vendor, I'm all over TNAP, and have been for months. It's the same guys, day in and day out - except for the guys that retired.

I'm also ex-PD and still have a pretty good 'eye' and 'feel' in my surroundings and I can spot a cop or someone carrying a mile away. If there were a drug or theft ring going on, Jeep wouldn't be paying for Officers - TPD would be doing the invest. on their own. In either case, there would probably be a 'higher authority' than just TPD involved also.

"Up to 50....capable of workplace violence"? It's doubtful anyone is going to go ballistic unless there's a 'trigger', e.g. dismissal or layoff to set them off, at which time Jeep might call in 'reinforcements', but probably not before. People usually see that their co-worker is a loose cannon and often report that kind of behavior to management. Since no one wants to be shot, and even though they're 'union brothers', the co-worker would certainly notify management if they witness more extreme behavior, so this would suffice to be that 'watchful eye' on the floor.

I can't explain the 'invoices', but even though it looks like sh*t and has the slight odor of sh*t, I firmly believe it's not what it appears. And there's really no place for them to 'hide'.

posted by GraphicsGuy on Apr 06, 2008 at 06:00:38 am     #



FOX 36 is investigating this, and will be running this story as the lead at 4:00 this afternoon (MON, 04-07-2008). Not sure what they uncovered, but I am sure it will be worth a look.

posted by historymike on Apr 07, 2008 at 02:02:53 pm     #



I didn't watch their 4 o'clock, but there's nothing on the web site about it. I would guess if it were important, it would have been posted.

A 'non-story'?

posted by GraphicsGuy on Apr 07, 2008 at 06:51:29 pm     #



Let's assume for a moment that there was some kind of 'special investigation' going on - the kind that needed a certain amount of 'secrecy' in order to 'crack' the case.

What kind of brainless ignoramus would want such an investigation exposed? I'd like to think that news stations would be a bit more responsible and hold the story until such time as the case was solved.

There's just some things that the public does not have the right to know to avoid endangering the lives of those that protect you.

posted by GraphicsGuy on Apr 07, 2008 at 07:01:02 pm     #



A link to the FOX story on Jeep and TPD.

The investigation has been over for weeks, so your concerns about exposing officers can be put to rest, GraphicsGuy.

Conversely, if Chrysler really believed people were in danger, one could argue that it was irresponsible not to let employees know of potential danger.

posted by historymike on Apr 07, 2008 at 08:46:44 pm     #



Thanks for the link.

By nothing more than sheer luck, your tip-off to the media was well timed this time, but the scenario very well could have played out differently.

I understand you're a 'journalist', and your 'job' is to report that which the public has a right to know, but had this been a different type of investigation and had it not been 'closed', you would have been the one that put officers in danger!

You didn't know what was going on. You didn't know that it was over. You didn't consider that you could have compromised the investigation or the lives of the Officers involved!

In regards to "...one could argue that it was irresponsible not to let employees know of potential danger.", why cause undue strain on employees by telling them their lives may be in danger, causing production loss and potential on-the-job injuries because the employee is constantly worrying and looking over his shoulder and not paying attention to what he is supposed to be doing? Not knowing the 'When/How/Where's', Jeep called in professionals to protect and to watch for any situation that may develop.

If you can take your 'bag of silver coins' for this story and sleep well, then you're a better man than me and I too, should care more about the almighty buck than the safety of others.

Over-zealous and irresponsible reporting is what I call it.

posted by GraphicsGuy on Apr 08, 2008 at 06:37:43 am     #



You are entitled to your opinion, GraphicsGuy, but I have no interest in getting into a flame war. We will have to agree to disagree on whether people have a right to know what is going on in the world around them.

posted by historymike on Apr 08, 2008 at 07:33:36 am     #