Cameras in cabs considered

Monday, April 23, 2001 | 11:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The director of the Taxicab Authority said today installing cameras in taxicabs is being considered in light of a cab hijacking Saturday in Las Vegas.

Director Bob Anselmo told the Senate Finance Committee said the system would allow drivers to hit "the hot button" if they become suspicious of passengers.

Anselmo was questioned by Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, about the safety of cab drivers. Rawson said he read that cab drivers are more at risk than police or firefighters.

Anselmo said assaults of drivers are down this year but robberies are up. He then referred to the incident Saturday, which started at McCarran International Airport.

The cab driver became "uncomfortable" with the man in his cab as they approached the airport. Anselmo said he drove to a crowded area, which was the smart thing to do. But the suspect got out of one cab and jumped into another taxi with a tourist still in the back seat. As the suspect was leaving the airport, the tourist jumped from the taxi and was hit by another vehicle.

That started a high-speed chase that ended when the car hit Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Robert Kintzel Jr., 30 who suffered massive internal injuries.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, said the issue of installing cameras in taxicab was debated several years ago. He said the owners supported the plan but drivers fought it.

The drivers complain about their safety, Coffin said, and he can't understand why they oppose the cameras.

Anselmo said drivers are "very independent." They don't like filming their passengers. But he said this would only be used in emergencies.

Anselmo said the authority tries to train the drivers every year and not to pick up "flags", or persons trying to flag them down on the street. "But greed enter into it," he said.