Bring back cab alert, groups urge
A vicious attack on a Geraldton taxi driver early on Sunday has led to calls from the taxi industry to reinstate the Cab Alert program.
The program, which has fallen by the wayside in the past five years, was a partnership between WA Police, the Department of Transport and the industry.
It gave taxi drivers a private line to contact police directly if they needed help, or to report suspicious activity.
Taxi Council of Western Australia chief executive Joanna Lockyer said this facility could have led to a different outcome when a driver was attacked outside Turkish Kebabs on Chapman Road at 2am on Sunday.
Police said food had been thrown at the taxi and the driver stopped and approached the group of people involved.
He was struck in the face, falling unconscious and striking his head on the pavement.
The driver was flown to Royal Perth Hospital with serious head injuries.
Ms Lockyer said Cab Alert was introduced 20 years ago and had proven very successful in helping keep taxi drivers safe while they provided practical help for the police.
WA Country Taxi Drivers Association secretary Julie Murray said the Geraldton assault sadly highlighted increasing assaults on taxi drivers.
“As to the reason, I am really not sure, but there seems to be an increase in the level of violence in the community and taxi drivers are very often on the receiving end,” she said.
“We want to build respect for taxi drivers and the wonderful job they do in the community, so it’s very worrying this is happening.”
Ms Murray said the reintroduction of Cab Alert would complement the CCTV cameras, which had been operating in Geraldton taxis since 2007.
Another option in addressing violence against taxi drivers would be the use of secure taxi ranks with security guards nearby and “black-listing” certain addresses where drivers were likely to be attacked.
Police have called for public help in their investigation into the Chapman Road assault.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has other information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Geraldton detectives on 9923 4555.
