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396
<br />
<br /> To my knowledge, no city in the State of Virginia has adopted a requirement for installation
<br />of safety shields. A bill introduced in the last session of the Virginia General Assembly to
<br />require (or to permit local governmental units to require) safety shields was referred to the
<br />Virginia Crime Commission for further study. Within the last year, the City of Norfolk has
<br />considered eight alternatives, including safety shields, for increasing protection to cab
<br />drivers. Norfolk adopted only two of the eight measures, locked money box and emergency
<br />warning lighting system. Norfolk subsequently repealed these two requirementS.
<br /> factors which have been considered are the effectiveness of safety shields
<br />Two important ........... :-- -~ ~ shield itself would cost approximately $~00 I
<br />and the cost of sh ....... olled b" the driver, would cost approximately $90 when. I~
<br />per cab. An automatic aoor locK, COnu~ y
<br />
<br /> . ' alled otion, but would be difficult, if not impossible, to add later. One pro~aem
<br />a factory ~nst . P . - ......... ~- ~w of both hot and cold air ventilation. ~
<br /> · ' ' elf nln~eranc~ ~u ~ ~
<br />with shzelds ls ObVIOUSly t~ ' ' months is not tolerable to the ~
<br /> v~ ~ ~*~nn e.o. extremely hot ride during summer ~ ' .......... · ~-~ be
<br /> public~ then an additional expense ior r~u~xg~ k~ .......... r~ Y
<br /> incurred, which could cost as much as $400 to %700.
<br /> Perhaps the most important factor to consider is the effectiveness of safety shields, i.e
<br /> the degree to which they protect the driver from a potential robbery or personal injury.
<br /> While most robberies occur within the
<br /> ~abbe~ieesof taxicab drivers are generally pre-planned.
<br /> taxi, with the installation of safety shields, it is possible that the robbery could take
<br /> place upon the passenger's depaxture. To the extent money was exchanged only through the
<br /> shield, this potential for robbery would be reduced. The potential for robbery would still
<br /> exist where the assailant was carrying a gun (and approached the driver from a front window)
<br /> or where the driver by chance, inadvertence or inducement had personal contact with assailant
<br /> A third factor which should be considered, with due caution, is the incidence or extent
<br /> of crime against cab drivers. I stress the word "caution" because past crime does not necess~ ~ily
<br /> ~ndicate future crime occurrences. Any decision by City Council should be based on the three
<br /> factors mentioned--safetY potential/benefit, cost, and incidence.
<br /> Data for Portsmouth indicates that in the past eighteen months, January 1, 1975 through
<br /> June 50, 1976, there have been eight robberies against cab drivers. NO driver was assaulted
<br /> during this period and total money taken was $536. There are 56 licensed cabsIf within automatic Ports-
<br /> mouth, and the total co~t for shields alone woul-i-~be approximat, ely $~6,80q.
<br /> locks and redesign to ventilation system were required, the cost would more than double, and
<br /> would perhaps be three times the $16,800- Since the money taken is insignificant compared
<br /> to the direct and possibly resultant costs of safety shields, the real issue is whether the
<br /> reduction (not elimination) of potential for personal inj.ury/ death justifies the requirement
<br /> by City Council that cab owners expend the estimated $16.,800 to $50,000. Since a small
<br /> number of cabs withial Portsmouth are owner-driven, if the personal safety factor outweighed th
<br /> cost factor it would, seem that these individuals would be inclined to install the shields for
<br /> their own safety with or without a requirement to do so.
<br /> Mr. Richard Young who represents at least five cab companies/ owners has indicated his
<br /> clients opposition to the safety shields. Mr. Young will be at the Council meeting to answer
<br /> questions on behalf of these owners."
<br /> Ezekiel T. Phyall, 460 Chestnut Street, representing Safeway Cab Service, spoke against
<br /> shields being placed in taxicabs.
<br /> On motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Holley, the ordinance was adopted on final
<br /> reading, and by the following vote:
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Barnes, Rarly, Elliott, Holley, Wentz, Davis
<br /> Navs: None
<br />
<br /> - "Request from the City Manager for authorization in accordance ~i~h the City
<br /> into Parks and Recreation for
<br />
<br /> 76-282
<br />Code to transfer $20,00C from the Emergency Contingency Fund
<br />implementation of the District System."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Wentz and seconded by Mr.
<br />City Manager, was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br />Holley, to ccncur in the recommendation of the
<br />
<br />- NEW BUSINESS -
<br />
<br /> 7~-283 - Robe~Pryor, 1219 Darren Drive, spoke on behalf of the residents of Cavalier
<br />Manor, regarding $2~00 fee for bicycles and against this charge. Requested a referendum on
<br />the matter to let the people vcte.
<br /> 76-284 - Mrs. Brenda Haythe, 1146 N. Carrington Crescent, spoke concerning lake in Pine-
<br />wood M~nor , requesting the ~ras~ debris and drainage easement be cleaned. City Manager to
<br />investmgate. Presented per,tmon signed by Mrs. Virginia E. Porter, 1148 N. Carrington Crescent
<br />
<br /> 76-285 the following citizens spoke concerning off-siSe drainage:
<br />
<br /> Raymond Joseph, 2829 Sterling Point Road, representing Portsmouth Chamber
<br /> of Commerce , - d
<br /> Jim O'Keeffe, 3204 Granada Road, representing Kline R~al~y~i~p~e~en~e
<br /> the following report:
<br />
<br /> am Jim O!Keeffe, a realtor with Kline Realty Company, 1600 Airline Boulevard, Ports-
<br />
<br /> 'I
<br />mouth.
<br />
<br />
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