SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — A union representing taxi drivers in Tijuana says more and more cabbies are becoming victims of crime following a rash of assaults and robberies in recent weeks.
Drivers made their concerns known during a May 1 demonstration in downtown Tijuana.
They say their jobs have become so dangerous that some drivers “fear for their lives.”
Daniel Cruz, one of the cab drivers who took part in the demonstration, said two of his friends were robbed and beaten just in the previous week.
“In the downtown area, it can be any time of the day or night,” said Cruz. “They get in asking for a ride, next thing you know you’re staring at a cannon (gun) and there’s no place to run.”
He said other areas of the city including Colonia Libertad, just east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, have also become dangerous.
“All we’re asking for is more security,” Cruz said. “There doesn’t seem to be as much police protection as before. We’ve had drivers who were hurt and the government had done nothing.”
Cruz added that drivers have to give up their money “peacefully” to avoid a beat down by robbers.
Baltazar Gómez Ruiz, head of a taxi drivers’ union in Tijuana, said the entire city has become more menacing for drivers.
“We have between 20 and 30 assaults on a daily basis, but many drivers choose not to file police reports or complaints because they know it will be a waste of time,” he said. “At night, downtown turns into a zone full of ‘zombies’ and you don’t know what these people will do.”
The city says it has provided drivers with panic buttons for their cabs hoping they activate them whenever in danger.
But drivers like Cruz say they doubt anyone will respond in time to protect them and make arrests.
Another issue for drivers is the condition of many roadways in the city.
They say most streets are lined with potholes that rarely get fixed.
“Our cars take a beating, driving these roads damages our taxis and it means more maintenance and repairs for us,” said Cruz. “That’s more money out of our pockets.”
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