Camera-or-shield in NYC

Good evidence for the effectiveness of a camera-or-shield policy comes from New York City. Preliminary evidence from recent four and ten year periods indicate a dramatic decrease in driver homicides following implementation of a partition-or-camera rule. The rule was adopted in response to a huge demonstration precipitated by three driver homicides in a single week. New York's cab safety policies go far beyond equipment, including at one time assigning hundreds of police officers to work full-time on cab safety.

A TLC industry notice of September 2000 describes New York City's funding program for safety equipment. Taxi and livery operators could claim up to $325 upon installation of either a partition or a camera. As of September 2000, 13,550 claims for reimbursement had been received. Of those, 9,936 (73%) were for partitions and 3,614 (27%) were for security cameras. By observation during a visit to New York during 2003, cameras are seen primarily in newer liveries, presumably those that serve low-risk districts and clientele. Partitions are used in virtually all of the medallion cabs, and in most of the liveries and gypsy cabs seen in rougher parts of the city.

The compelling lesson from New York is that a policy of requiring either a camera or a shield has worked very well, in conjunction with municipal funding, and in conjunction with other crime prevention measures. It is a clear formula for success in preventing homicides against taxicab drivers.

Partitions

Partitions protect drivers in the most common and highest risk scenario, which is an opportunistic gun attack from behind. Their effectiveness at preventing assaults has been documented through statistical analysis by Dr. John Stone in his report, "The Effectiveness of Taxi Partitions: The Baltimore Case."

In order to be effective, any opening or window in the partition must be in the closed position.

In the photo, light-colored vinyl upholstery covers the steel lower half of the partition.

Partitions are cheap and low maintenance, and can be installed by a mechanic in 30 minutes. They are appropriate technology for small operations, which comprise the majority of the industry.

Partitions are a familiar sight to travelers. They are used in tens of thousands of cabs in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, London, Sydney, Shanghai and many other places.

This view from the front seat shows the partition's sliding window unlocked and open.

A screw-on aluminum clamp attached to the upper rail will limit the distance that the window opens, in this case to about four inches.

Crash statistics from New York reveal that passenger injuries went down steadily every year following the introduction of partitions in 1994. Listen to a recorded seat belt reminder for a partitioned cab, and read about customer response in San Francisco.

Driver preferences pro-and-con shields are linked to night shift work, to length of service and to other variables. Two official surveys were conducted in San Francisco. An analysis of the survey results indicates substantial support for partitions, as much as 60% among night drivers, and explores the factors influencing driver acceptance or opposition.

Cameras

Cameras aid in the apprehension of perpetrators. The devices, usually mounted above the rearview mirror, provide a wide angle view of the interior of the vehicle. Digital images are recorded automatically, for instance every time the meter is turned on or when a door is opened. Infrared sensors allow images to be captured even in a darkened cab at night.

Taxi security cameras are a relatively new preventive measure whose effectiveness has not been established. Statistical evidence indicates that cameras by themselves are among the least effective homicide prevention measures. The images produced by taxi security cameras starkly illustrate the grave risk that drivers may face. This photo and another appeared with a news report in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The photo records an armed robbery by a rear seat assailant in an unpartitioned cab. Taxi security cameras usually have blinking lights and are announced by signs both inside and outside the cab. In this case, the robber did not see the camera or did not care, thus the camera had no deterrent value. Crime photos also illustrate the privacy concerns that a driver may have regarding the use of his or her own image.

Like partitions, cameras may be controversial. The Surveillance Camera Players, a street theater group, performs the skit "It's OK Officer" before cameras monitoring public places to protest widespread surveillance of the public.

This eye-catching graphic, a satirical protest, is courtesy of the Surveillance Camera Players. It uses a blunt message and a bold arrow to draw attention to a security camera.