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The Post is reporting about a disturbing crime: A woman who took a cab from the Lower East Side back home to Brooklyn says the yellow cab driver assaulted her.
The victim, a 38-year-old real estate agent who lives in Park Slope, left a lounge at Rivington and Bowery around 4AM (the lounge's bouncer helped her hail the cab). The driver apparently asked her repeatedly to sit in the front passenger seat, which she declined. From the Post:
Once the cab reached her house, the driver offered to help her haul her birthday presents out of the car and place them on her stoop, the woman said.The victim, who walked to a police station house to report the crime, added, "He's still out there doing this to other women, taking them home from a bar and taking advantage of them." The police will investigate GPS (if the cab had any) and travel log information from the Taxi and Limousine Commission.She gladly accepted his help, but became alarmed when he followed her into her building, despite the fact that she told him it was OK to leave the gifts outside.
The driver forced himself into her apartment, said he'd like to romance her, and then molested the terrified victim, according to cops.
"He knows where I live, he was in my apartment. I don't feel really comfortable," the woman said.
If you're feeling uncomfortable in a cab, try to remember or write down the medallion number (here's the Taxi Passenger's Bill of Rights). In 2004, cab driver was accused of raping a passenger, but then the police weren't able to substantiate the claim because the passenger, who was drunk, may have consented to sex. and in 2006, a fake livery cab driver assaulted a woman who was trying to go to JFK.
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What the hell is a taxi cab rider's bill of rights? You're pretty much lucky to get out of a taxi alive these days. Or lucky to stand on the sidewalk or cross the street and not die. It doesn't surprise me that rape is now on the list of things to consider. To hell with taxis.
Certainly makes me think twice before I get in a cab alone.
Haven't you guys seen "The Bone Collector"?
Even if one is drunk, I recommend fake-calling on your cell and saying "Yeah, I'll be home in ten minutes. Yeah yeah, I'll text you the ID # of the car. Don't be so paranoid."
If they're actually able to use in-cab GPS to track this guy down, I think that'd go a long way towards persuading a lot of people of the value of the units.
Whaaa! Bad things sometimes happen in a city of over 8 million people! Whaaaaaaaa I wanna go back to the Midwest! throws 2007 NFT Guide out of pram
Impulsively called a commenter retarded. Not appropriate and the comment has been removed. My apologies offered and it's really none of my business who wants to make his or herself look foolish.
they should shoot this driver by firing squad.
cabs driver should be tracked. this is why GPS and electronic travel logs are a must-have.
and Dave: great idea!!!
My comments were directed at the fine Gothamist posters, not the victim.
Whoops! I responded to your question, which goes against the mandate you struck down. Uh-Oh...
Happens all the time. I don't think solo drunk women should ever get a cab. Just go home with a guy from the bar, at least there's a chance you might enjoy the molestation.
Was she wearing a mini and halter top along with stilettos? Can someone verify?
"In 2004, cab driver was accused of raping a passenger, but then the police weren't able to substantiate the claim because the passenger, who was drunk, may have consented to sex."
Drunk or sober, I can't see any woman consenting to sex with a cab driver, ever. Including their wives.
i hate the ambiguous language to describe sexual attacks. what does sexual assault mean? did he try to kiss her? was she groped? raped?
Ladies, when getting in a cab late at night say the 4-character taxi ID code out loud so that the driver can hear you and knows that you've noted the cab's ID code (which is found on the top of the car, on the license plate and inside the car on the back of the front seat). Then say the driver's name when telling him where you want to go, like, "Good evening Mr. Vijay Patel, I'm going to 325 East 25th Street."
Then they know you can easily ID them and are less likely to mess with you. The cell phone ruse mentioned above is a good idea too.
this has happened to me. ever since, i try to text or photograph the driver's picture and medallion # when i get in the car.
what's the deal with the photo/license/taxi # behind the driver's head anyway? if it is missing from the taxi, should you get out of the vehicle? I was once in a taxi, approx 4 am, where the photo/license was missing and the driver seemed inebriated... was speeding and driving recklessly. i was a bit freaked out but had no information to report to the TLC.