The recent attack of a 53-year old Regents Cab driver, Balvinder Singh, in the 200 block of States Street serves to re-emphasize several critical points.

First, thanks in large part to prompt response by an area resident, the taxi driver received prompt medical treatment for what were potentially life-threatening injuries, and San Francisco police officers were provided an accurate description of the suspect by the area residents who responded to the sounds of the attack taking place outside their homes. The quick response by those citizens played a huge role in expediting the capture of the alleged attacker, a 26-year old Pittsburg resident who was on parole after serving time for a similar robbery in 2003.

Secondly, this incident highlights the need for San Francisco to revisit its policy of not requiring safety shields between the taxi drivers and their passengers like they have in other metropolitan cities such as New York City. In addition, the city of San Francisco, in concert with cab companies, recently took away drivers’ insurance for cabbies, and now only the passenger and their personal property along with the taxi cab itself and other people involved in a vehicle accident are insured. The taxi’s inside surveillance camera did nothing to prevent this brutal attack, and only serves as added proof that a more stringent policy is in order.

Personally, I would suggest that San Francisco require all taxis operating within city limits to provide a bullet proof safety shield between the driver’s compartment and passengers along with a requirement that taxi companies provide their drivers with accident liability and personal injury insurance. As is always the case, I welcome your opinions, and encourage you to share your views on this topic with me.