Letter: For tourism’s sake, cab drivers must be safe

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | 9:34 a.m.

My husband is a cab driver, an occupation more dangerous than that of a police officer. While we would never expect cops to do their jobs without all the available safety equipment -- bullet-resistant vests, guns, a slew of backup officers -- cabbies apparently don't even deserve the attention of the Taxicab Authority, cab company owners and the Legislature.

If they did, politics would be put aside and the cameras-in-cabs measure would be up and running. When a police officer is assaulted or killed while on duty, he is given a heroes' tribute. When an on-duty cabbie is robbed and murdered, people shrug and say, "Well, it's a dangerous job; he knew the risks." But where would this tourist-oriented city be without cab drivers?

I refuse to accept that my husband's life is disposable because he is "only" a cab driver. Our elected officials need to make sure that the cameras in cabs initiative is immediately adopted and enforced, since the Taxicab Authority is unwilling to do so. Remember, even cabbies -- and their friends and families -- vote.

PATRICIA DUCHARME

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