Seattle cabbies back use of security cameras

[icymist]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/171980_taxi05.html

Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Seattle cabbies back use of security cameras

By KERY MURAKAMI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

More than three months after Seattle cabbie Hassan Farah was shot to death in an apparent robbery, fellow taxi drivers are frustrated no changes have been made to ensure their safety.

So they raised $500 to install a small security camera in one of their cabs. They showed it off at a news conference yesterday and made the case that every taxi in the area should have one.

"Our lives are worth $500," said Terry Davis, an Orange Cab Dispatch taxi driver. He was among the dozen members of the Cab Drivers' Alliance of King County who said the cameras, which are mounted on dashboards and take pictures of passengers, would deter people from committing crimes.

(more)

[htuttle]

1. A bulletproof partition costs about the same amount

I used to know a guy who sold and installed them. Personally, I prefer a partition over a camera and/or GPS. Cameras don't stop convenience store robberies either.

It's a serious problem, though, and a little help is better than none. I've known way too many drivers (6) who've been murdered for very little money.

Unfortunately, all too often city governments (who set taxi regulations) obey the wishes of taxi owners (safety is too expensive!) over the drivers.