Hybrid electric vehicles, designed to be environmentally correct, are not user-friendly for Taxi and Limousine Commission inspectors. TLC inspectors have been forced by the agency to drive the smaller vehicles and do without the standard red-flashing emergency lights and sirens, Local 237 President Gregory Floyd testified at a City Council hearing on April 19.

Floyd, along with a panel of several TLC inspectors led by Trustee Noreen Hollingsworth, presented testimony at a hearing on the labor perspective of TLC enforcement procedures, held by the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, chaired by Council Member Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. TLC Commissioner Matthew Daus, was also invited to testify, but was not present.


Local 237 leaders and TLC members gather outside City Hall after the hearing.

“The union seeks to restore the red lights and sirens on enforcement and agency vehicles,” said Floyd, arguing that TLC members, who are considered peace officers and have special patrolman status under New York State law, perform dangerous car stops of taxi and livery car drivers who may be violating the law. Inspectors also generate tens of thousands of summonses and revenue for the city, Floyd noted, emphasizing that “TLC inspectors are the only peace officers who are not afforded the red light and siren package.” In addition, said Floyd, unlike the older cars, hybrid cars are small and don’t provide room for inspectors to transport arrested passengers.

TLC Inspectors also presented strong arguments for refitting the vehicles. “Our main function is car stops,” said Capt. Marcos Pagan. “In the past, we would turn on the emergency lights and hit the siren. Now it takes four to five blocks to pull someone over....They don’t know who we are.” Tamika Brown echoed Pagan, saying, “They don’t realize you’re in enforcement mode.”


Tragic Event

Bruce Stafford recalled a tragic event when an inspector was assaulted during a car stop and had his eye gouged out. There was a time when the TLC “recognized our vehicles as emergency vehicles in writing,” noted Capt. Yan Velez. Trustee Hollingsworth asked, “Why have our lives suddenly become expendable?”

Following the testimony, several Council members asked questions and stated their conclusions. Addabbo said he was “concerned that inspectors are not getting respect.” Melissa Viverito added, “It defies logic to switch the color and size of the car to a new model.... It’s a major shift and it brought confusion.”

The council will continue investigating the issues, before taking any action.