From the Chicago Dispatcher, June 25, 2008
Driver Group Rallies for “Safety Placard”
UTCC holds rally to protest city’s refusal of their proposed signs informing passengers of Weidersberg’s Law.
By: Jonathan Bullington
As attacks against cabdrivers increase, one driver organization is pushing the city to better inform passengers of the consequences of such violence.
The United Taxidrivers (sic) Community Council (UTCC) on Monday held a small rally outside the Department of Consumer Services' (DCS) Ogden Avenue office. Their point: to convince DCS that signs should be posted inside cabs informing passengers of Weidersberg's Law, which makes assaulting an on-duty cabdriver a felony.
In a press release, UTCC spokesperson Ron Florence said the following: “We serve the city at all hours of the night, carry cash and we work alone - we face incredible risks, without weapons or body armor - so how can the city deny us such basic protections?”
Said UTCC Chairperson Fayez Khozindar, “If we cannot raise the awareness about this law, then we have no deterrent against the violence that we face on a daily basis.”
The group cites opinion from the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), which states that crimes against transit workers will not be deterred “unless transit agencies post notices alerting customers” of the existence of new laws meant to protect transit workers.
Monday's rally came after DCS refused their sign proposal, “prioritizing supposed signage 'clutter' over deterrence of violence,” according to the group's press release.
According to DCS Commissioner Norma Reyes, the passenger area in a cab already has a lot of information, including information on safety for both drivers and passengers.
“I don't want to diminish Weidersberg's Law, Commissioner Reyes said. “I strongly support safety for cabdrivers. That's why we worked toward a cashless system - that's why we worked towards cameras in cabs. Any attack of any cabdriver should be taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest degree.”
Commissioner Reyes said one concern she has with the UTCC sign proposal is that the group decided to place its name, Web site and telephone number at the bottom of the sign.
“This is a message about safety, not an advertisement for the UTCC,” Reyes said.
Reyes should wear an "UNSAFE CRIMINAL MIND" warning placard.
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From the Chicago Dispatcher, June 25, 2008
Driver Group Rallies for “Safety Placard”
UTCC holds rally to protest city’s refusal of their proposed signs informing passengers of Weidersberg’s Law.
By: Jonathan Bullington
As attacks against cabdrivers increase, one driver organization is pushing the city to better inform passengers of the consequences of such violence.
The United Taxidrivers (sic) Community Council (UTCC) on Monday held a small rally outside the Department of Consumer Services' (DCS) Ogden Avenue office. Their point: to convince DCS that signs should be posted inside cabs informing passengers of Weidersberg's Law, which makes assaulting an on-duty cabdriver a felony.
In a press release, UTCC spokesperson Ron Florence said the following: “We serve the city at all hours of the night, carry cash and we work alone - we face incredible risks, without weapons or body armor - so how can the city deny us such basic protections?”
Said UTCC Chairperson Fayez Khozindar, “If we cannot raise the awareness about this law, then we have no deterrent against the violence that we face on a daily basis.”
The group cites opinion from the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), which states that crimes against transit workers will not be deterred “unless transit agencies post notices alerting customers” of the existence of new laws meant to protect transit workers.
Monday's rally came after DCS refused their sign proposal, “prioritizing supposed signage 'clutter' over deterrence of violence,” according to the group's press release.
According to DCS Commissioner Norma Reyes, the passenger area in a cab already has a lot of information, including information on safety for both drivers and passengers.
“I don't want to diminish Weidersberg's Law, Commissioner Reyes said. “I strongly support safety for cabdrivers. That's why we worked toward a cashless system - that's why we worked towards cameras in cabs. Any attack of any cabdriver should be taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest degree.”
Commissioner Reyes said one concern she has with the UTCC sign proposal is that the group decided to place its name, Web site and telephone number at the bottom of the sign.
“This is a message about safety, not an advertisement for the UTCC,” Reyes said.
this reporter does not even interview the people he reports on. he took these quotes from the press release and then went runinng away after.
Direct from the Twilight Zone:
"Mr. Tang .... has the nerve to try to organize Chicago cabdrivers into a 'union' for his own interest, not ours."
-Mike Foulks
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I know Mr. T has got the nerve, but I pity the Long-eared sucka who believes Long Ears' fantasy delusion.
Word.
------Irv the Nerve------
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Replying to:
this reporter does not even interview the people he reports on. he took these quotes from the press release and then went runinng away after.
