CRACKDOWN SOUGHT ON ILLEGAL TAXIS; CITY OFFICIALS ASK POLICE COMMISSION TO ASSIGN OFFICERS TO HUNT `BANDIT' CABS.Byline: Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer Concerned with illegal ``bandit'' taxicab drivers who overcharge passengers and drive without licenses, city officials said Tuesday they want to resume a special police task force to combat the problem. The Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Board of Taxicab Commissioners has asked the Police Commission for permission to reassign three police officers to hunt down bandit bandit: see brigandage. cabs. ``We are very concerned about this chronic problem which poses a serious public safety threat,'' said Carol L. Newman, president of the Board of Taxicab Commissioners. Newman said the need to stem bandit cabs is urgent, with the Democratic National Convention set to begin in August 2000, and the Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. opening in mid-October. ``With the upcoming Democratic National Convention and the opening of the Staples Center, the city cannot give mere lip service lip service n. Verbal expression of agreement or allegiance, unsupported by real conviction or action; hypocritical respect: to this issue,'' she said. The commission is expected to consider the issue during its Sept. 21 meeting. Los Angeles police Cmdr. Dave Kalish said the department supports a crackdown on bandit cabs. ``They are a serious problem in the city,'' Kalish said. In a report to the commission, Newman said between 1,200 and 1,500 illegal taxicabs operate in Los Angeles. By comparison, there are 10 authorized taxicab companies operating 1,931 vehicles in the city. ``Illegal taxicab operators lack proper insurance coverage, use unsafe vehicles, don't have driver's licenses Noun 1. driver's license - a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle driver's licence, driving licence, driving license license, permit, licence - a legal document giving official permission to do something and many have been involved with illicit activities like narcotics narcotics n. 1) techinically, drugs which dull the senses. 2) a popular generic term for drugs which cannot be legally possessed, sold, or transported except for medicinal uses for which a physician or dentist's prescription is required. , theft, gangs, prostitution and more,'' Newman said. While the Los Angeles Department of Transportation is responsible for bandit taxicab enforcement, they do not have the power to make traffic stops, impound impound v. 1) to collect funds, in addition to installment payments, from a person who owes a debt secured by property, and place them in a special account to pay property taxes and insurance when due. vehicles or to initiate criminal investigations, the report says. Between 1991 and 1995, the transportation department and police cooperated, using undercover officers, traffic stops and investigations, the report says. Under that program, more than 1,500 illegal taxicab drivers were arrested, averaging about 333 per year, the report says. The task force was disbanded in 1995 for lack of money, but the transportation department now can afford to renew the program, Newman said. |
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