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Previous Article

Winter 2010 Issue

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SFPD Takes On Bandit Limos and Cabs;

Will They Also Stop Company Extortion?

By Bud Hazelkorn
UTW Chair

In December, San Francisco Police Department taxi enforcement duties were shifted from the Taxi Detail to the Traffic Division, as directed by Deputy Chief John Murphy. With greater manpower and budget, the office has already reported a surge in actions against bandit limousines and “out-of-town cabs” (OTC).

In addition, United Taxicab Workers is working with DC Murphy to stop hotel collusion with limousines, as well as company extortion of money from drivers. These are important and exciting developments for San Francisco cab drivers, that we hope will directly improve our incomes and working conditions.

While we do not applaud the arrest of working people who are presumably struggling just as we are, we are adamant about stopping their poaching on our livelihoods. Deputy Chief Murphy reports 74 misdemeanor arrests in January and at least 75 in February. This is more than all of last year combined. The actions primarily involved limousines for illegal operation and waybill violations, Murphy said. “Most of the arrests result in $160 fines. Repeat offenders are subject to arrest and their vehicles towed.”

Cab drivers are encouraged to gather information and report bandit limos and OTCs, while avoiding altercations. Murphy told UTW that his office will establish an e-mail to receive complaints. In the meantime, we encourage drivers to send photos and information to UTW, which will tally and forward them to Murphy. (NOTE: limit emails to 2MB to avoid crashing).

When reporting bandit vehicles, be as accurate and objective as possible. Try to include:

Photographs of the license, the driver, and the car;

Any phone number printed on the car;

Time, date and location of sighting, and whether the driver had a fare or was picking one up;

License number and TCP number;

A brief but accurate description of the incident, the driver (age, gender, color), plus any other details.

Also important is the treatment of cab drivers at hotels. Many concierges and doormen pressure guests to take limousines for long fares, even when they ask for cabs. That's illegal, though the practice is widespread, as cab drivers know. One often sees limos parked in hotel white zones, while cabs are directed to park far away or around the corner. Some companies direct their drivers to pay doormen large tips for airport fares. Typically,doorman will tell guests that fares to the airport are the same for limos and cabs. They're not. “We are working on the doormen issue,” said DC Murphy. “Steps have already been taken to address it with hotel management.”

Of the three types of enforcement described here, perhaps the most important is stopping the extortion of drivers by companies. Extortion is the “illegal use of one's official position or powers to obtain property, money, or favors.” When a dispatcher tells you – or even just “suggests” – that you tip him or someone else in return for special fares, cars, or shifts, that’s extortion and it’s illegal. When a manager demands excessive money from you for any reason – such as damage to a car that you didn’t cause – that’s extortion.

United Taxicab Workers is working with SFPD and MTA Taxi Director Christiane Hayashi to develop a mechanism whereby drivers can report extortion and other crimes without fear of reprisal. This is essential in an industry where companies can fire drivers without cause.

DC Murphy has made available a ‘Text-a-Tip’ system that allows people to provide the police with information anonymously. According to Murphy, the program does not collect senders'; phone numbers or other personal information (see box below).

In order for it to work, though, one must provide accurate information: