Res. No. 1274
Title
Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the New York City Council to hold hearings on the recent rash of homicides and assaults against livery cab drivers in New York City.
Body
By Council Members Linares, Boyland, Clarke, Espada, Freed, Henry, Lopez, Marshall, Perkins, Quinn, Reed, Rodriguez, Warden and Stabile; also Council Members Eisland, Fisher, Foster, Harrison, McCaffrey, Michels, Robinson, Robles, Spigner and White
Whereas, In 1999, nine livery cab drivers were slain during the course of their employment and as of March 1, 2000, five livery cab drivers have been killed; and
Whereas, On February 24, 2000, Norberto Noguera, a father of five who moved to New York from Venezuela in 1980, was killed in the Bronx while driving his livery cab; and
Whereas, The number of robberies of livery cab drivers has remained steady at about 970 for 1997, 1998 and 1999; and
Whereas, The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is demanding that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and Giuliani Administration pay more attention to this recent wave of violence; and
Whereas, Responding to this demand, the NYPD recently announced the formation of a special task force, in which detectives will work undercover as livery cab drivers; and
Whereas, Livery Cab drivers are hard working individuals who provide a vital service to the poor neighborhoods of this City; and
Whereas, Livery cab drivers, by the nature of their work, are easily subject to attack; and
Whereas, The NYPD needs to do whatever it can to prevent this wave of assaults and homicides from continuing to occur; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the appropriate committee of the New York City Council hold hearings on the recent rash of homicides and assaults against livery cab drivers in New York City.