MULTI-AGENCY "STING" OPERATION OF TAXICABS AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ENHANCES SAFETY OF TRAVELING PUBLIC
(Los Angeles, California – June 8, 2006) Nearly 500 taxicabs were inspected during a six-hour multi-agency law enforcement taxi “sting operation” conducted this morning at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Of the 477 taxicabs inspected, 54 drivers received administrative citations for mechanical and equipment violations, such as improper lights; no proof of insurance, registration or permit; no license plate; unsealed meters; no fuel cap; improper attire and unsanitary interiors. Also discovered were two "meter zapper" devices attached to taximeters and used to illegally accelerate the fare. An additional two more taxis had connector wires that could have been used for the same purpose.
All 54 citations will require the drivers to appear at an administrative hearing with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) in order to demonstrate the violations have been corrected and to pay fines. The permits of the two drivers whose vehicles were equipped with the illegal “meter zappers” were immediately revoked, putting them out of service until resolved with the LADOT.
With the summer peak travel season getting underway, airport officials believe today's inspections will enhance the safety of air travelers who use commercial ground transportation services to get to/from the airport. There were over 1.5 million outbound taxi trips from LAX last year. This number does not include the estimated millions of taxi trips from Los Angeles and other cities that transported passengers to the airport.
Over 2,300 taxicabs are permitted by the LADOT to operate in the city, which includes LAX. LADOT-permitted taxis are scheduled to work at LAX one day in a five-day period. The taxi drivers reportedly earn one-half of their weekly gross income on their "LAX Day." LAX was chosen as the site for the multi-agency inspections because on any given day, 20 percent (or 460) of the City-permitted taxis are at LAX. Over a five-day period, 100 percent will have worked at LAX.
A team of 19 Los Angeles Airport Police Ground Transportation Enforcement Unit officers, LADOT investigators, and Los Angeles County Weights and Measures Bureau inspectors conducted the operation in the LAX Taxicab Holding Lot located three blocks from the airport's passenger terminal area.
Airport Police officers inspected permits, drivers’ licenses, equipment and mechanical operations. LADOT investigators and County inspectors tested the accuracy of fare meters by putting taxis on dynometers, machines with rollers that measure the distance a vehicle’s tires have “driven” in place.
Los Angeles Airport Police conduct daily, random mechanical and equipment inspections of taxicabs and other commercial ground transportation vehicles that operate at LAX, such as door-to-door vans, long-distance buses and limousines.
In addition, the three agencies are planning more unannounced, joint law enforcement operations in the future.
Los Angles Airport Police Ground Transportation Enforcement Officer Eduardo Angel checks taxicab vehicle identification number and the driver`s license during the “sting” operation.
Los Angeles Airport Police Ground Transportation Enforcement Officer Loretta Jones cites a taxicab driver for an equipment violation.
