Columnist Jeff German: Cabbies find ally in push for tougher safety measures

Thursday, March 26, 1998 | 10:55 a.m.

THE MURDERS of two cabbies in three months is putting the taxi industry on edge again.

Jim Jimmerson, chairman of the five-member state Taxicab Authority Board, is taking steps to allay the concerns of Southern Nevada's 3,800 drivers, considered front-line ambassadors of tourism here.

Jimmerson says he plans to revive a special committee of law enforcement officers and industry representatives to come up with ideas to protect the cabbies. The subject will be discussed at the taxicab board's April 21 meeting.

The safety panel last convened in 1995 (before Jimmerson came on board) after a series of violent acts against drivers. But minimal protection measures were enacted, primarily because the drivers themselves opposed the most effective proposals.

Rejected was a suggestion to equip taxis with bullet-proof shields between the front and rear seats. Cabbies felt the shields would inhibit the interaction between drivers and their fares and leave them with less tips.

A plan to install video cameras in the cabs was shot down for the same reason.

This year, Jimmerson, an advocate of both shields and cameras, predicts the safety committee will do more meaningful work.

"My position is the authority should be more aggressive in the review and implementation of further tools to reduce violent crime against cab drivers and their patrons," says Jimmerson, a longtime Las Vegas lawyer.

"This time, I'm confident the authority will be more responsive to the issues that are raised."

That should be good news to people like Al Bola, who runs the Las Vegas Taxi Drivers Association.

Bola, who says his organization represents about 1,500 cabbies, has been threatening to stage massive demonstrations to attract publicity to the plight of the drivers. He also has tried to put heat on the governor's office.

A former New York cabbie, Bola says the industry and the authority need to step up to the plate.

There's reason to believe the industry can afford to pay more to improve driver safety.

Last year, according to Taxicab Authority figures, the valley's 13 cab companies racked up $144 million in gross revenues, an all-time record. That topped the previous high of $127.9 million in 1996.

Jimmerson is well aware of those statistics, which may be one reason he talks with confidence about looking to beef up security.

Bola believes the Taxicab Authority should push the industry into setting up a satellite warning system to keep track of every cab on the street. With the push of a button or by voice command, drivers under duress easily could set off a silent alarm that would bring police to the rescue.

Jimmerson likes the idea and is willing to explore it in depth.

At the same time, Jimmerson isn't in a panic mode.

"I think statistically Las Vegas is the safest city for violent crimes against cab drivers," Jimmerson says.

Taxicab Authority figures show eight drivers have been killed in the line of duty since 1986, he says.

Though it's eight too many, the death rate here is the lowest among big cities in the nation, Jimmerson insists.

Still, that won't bring back John Harris, a 55-year-old Western Cab Co. driver found shot to death inside his taxi on Saturday. And it won't bring back Billy Rex Traver, a veteran North Las Vegas Cab Co. driver murdered in December.

But at least now, it appears the drivers have found an ear on the Taxicab Authority Board.

Jimmerson deserves a chance to demonstrate he's serious about providing more protection for drivers.

At the same time, the cabbies need to be ready to make some sacrifices, too.

Drivers unwilling to support such things as bullet-proof shields or cameras in their cabs because it might cost them a tip or two aren't really serious about participating in this debate.

If safety is the ultimate goal here, everyone needs to be on the same page.