TAG makes repairs, improves security after thefts
GREENWICH — It will take some time before the services at the Transportation Association of Greenwich gets back to normal after thieves stripped eight of TAG’s buses of their catalytic converters early last week, disabling them.
“It’s going to be a slow process,” said Debra Vetromile, executive director of TAG, a nonprofit organization that provides rides to community residents.
TAG is also the main transportation provider of food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, joining forces with Neighbor to Neighbor to deliver food to many residents in need.
“The good thing is, the Boys & Girls Club have stepped up and helped us,” and that organization will help with food deliveries in the near future, TAG said.
The Greenwich Police Department took over the food deliveries when the theft were first discovered last week. TAG and Neighbor to Neighbor supply food to about 500 families in Greenwich, and some 2,000 individuals.
Eight buses were damaged in last week’s thefts. One of the damaged buses, which is handicap accessible, is now at the shop for repairs. That vehicle helps with transporting residents to medical appointments, Vetromile said. In the meantime, TAG has been cobbling together various remedies to help residents get to their doctor’s appointments.
Greenwich police and technicians will be at the TAG garage in Riverside on Wednesday to improve security at the bus depot and to prevent a repeat occurrence of the thefts.
Catalytic converters, the exhaust emission control devices, have been targeted by thieves in recent years, who typically resell the parts as scrap for a small amount of cash.
Vetromile hopes TAG will be back to normal in a few weeks, with fully repaired vehicles. “There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.