Slain driver covered by tarp.
"Discovery" TV show
Slain driver.
The partition in this taxi serves better to protect assailants from 'driver reaction to threats'... than to protect cab drivers from assailants with guns. It certainly serves as -discouragement to assailants to use a knife to threaten the driver, and ENCOURAGEMENT to instead use a gun.
North Carolina State University Urban Studies Prof. Dr. John R. Stone - author of "The Baltimore Study". Dr. Stone did his partition viability research in Baltimore. Baltimore's partition requirement was less than one year old at the time. New York and Boston had required partitions for over 20 years each at that time.
Federally required 'Certification of Compliance' label. Without a certification of compliance label scrutiny of performance is not necessary. With no label, it is overtly illegal.
Illustration of early Bow St. Auto partition prior to mandate for a steel panel cover for the back of the front seat. The close-up at the top right show the virtual knife-like edge poised at the front seat occupants' spine.
The original Boston taxi partition configuration without a steel panel covering the back of the front seat.
Six specific police requirements for violations. This drawing was not made by the police, but it was enforced by the police. Bow St. Automotive was, most likely, the source for this spec sheet.
"I am a taxi regulator and I am smarter than I look. Speaking as your local taxi regulator I can guarentee to the riding public - the possibility of smashing your face on a tai partition is non-existent, And I say to our citys' cab drivers... requirements for partitions in taxis is a wonderful rule. No drug-crazed criminal is willing to up-grade his weapon of choice from a knife to a gun and they certainly aren't smart enough to threaten the driver through any of the other three windows of the drivers' compartment."
The 'friendly' relationship between George Summers (Bow St. Automotive, Everett, MA) and the taxi regulators in Boston was evident to many in the taxi business. George's taxis rarely, if ever, failed inspection. Regulators were presumed to be colluding with partition manufacturers like George Summers and NOT with Pallin Automotive of Chelsea. Stanley Crowell was originally employed by Pallin to fabriate 'knock-offs' of the Bow St. partition design, before going out on his own by starting Superior Installations.
Steve w/1979 Lincoln
Boston cab driver Alex Vainbraun bought an early prototype of the "Crowell Partition". The installation was done legally. The visibilty is completely unobstructed. It was - illegally modified... later - with parts purchased from Superior Installations.
1. Donald Devine, Captain - Boston Police Department 2. Ronald H. Rainer - taxi industry atty. 3. 4. Michael A. Kraft - Atty. Civil Lit. 5. Robert G. Mangott - Constable 6. ? - Constable
Several violations are evident in this image. The horizontal plane in the center precludes head restraint retention. The vertical glazing angle is the worst possible angle for hazardous reflections of sunlight, headlights and streetlights. The entire lower section is steel which defeats the intent of the federally required padding. Bolt protrusions are dangerous and illegal. Coin tray protrusion is also dangerous and illegal.
Close view of plastic 'bonded' to partition - used to limit lateral travel of the sliding door. These constitute a hazardous edge or protrusion flaw. They are also a visual impediment.
Shoulder harness removed. Dangerous bolt protrusions.
Evidence of the profound lack of concern of the Boston Police Department Hackney Divisions' and their failure to pay diligent attention to taxi occupant safety.
Coin tray and bolt protrusions. Evidence of contempt for cab drivers is obvious, where bolts protrude more than 1/2". The coin tray is acrylic plastic. Acrylic plastic is very brittle and, upon sufficient impact, breaks in shards with knife-like edges.
Can you count at least 6 violations?
This is the partition made by Bow St. Automotive that I found in a Chrystler St. Regis that was at one time a Boston cab owned by another aspiring, but failed medallion owner working with 'attorney/medallion broker' Ronald Rainer
More than one driver attempted to compensate for the hearing impediment using a Radio Shack intercom. The sound quality was worse than - no intercom. Notice... no shoulder harness or head restraint and the bolt protrusions are, seemingly, designed to impale the drivers' head in a collision.
The haze that always develops with Lexan due to the substandard abrasion resistance charcteristics.
St. Regis Bow St. Partition involved in litigation in Everett, MA
Prior to the innovation of screwing a plastic panel over the 'passenger information' cards, they were usually taped to the back of the partition. Introduction of screws, usually with tooling barbs, and sharp, unfinished edges to the plastic, spawned a new hazard. Clothing and stockings nearly always tore when coming in contact with the hazards.
This configuration shows the correction method utilized to eliminate the steel coin tray hinge and to eliminate the use of acrylic plastic for the coin tray. It is rigid, as required by the taxi regulators in Boston.
Bolt protrusions like this appear to be deliberately dangerous. The protrusion length was shortened because of complaints. On some partitions, Bow St. Auto snipped off some of the protrusion length with dikes, leaving a sharp steel barb.
The mutilation of the interior panel covering the "B" pillar is puzzling. There is a slot cut above the sling-bolt that enabled the installer to remove the panel before removing the shoulder-harness 'sling' bolt and belt. If the belt is normally removed... why cut the panel?
Clearly dangerous bolt protrusions
In a phone conversation the USDOT claimed "Testing would need to be conducted to assess - whether or not - the sheet metal, placed over the federally required 'padding in the head impact area', actually, in fact, defeated the intent of the padding." I had to ask if he was joking. He said; "No."
This is the unobstructed view through the rear view mirror with a "Crowell Partition" installed.
In addition to numerous visibility obstructions and a considerable hearing impediment.
Rear view image obstructed by objects bonded to the Lexan.
Obstructed rear view mirror visibility.
This partition design clearly impedes visibility. The coin tray is directly in the drivers' line of vision for rear-view mirror visibility.
A meter placement typical in most taxis. The hook for the microphone and the meter comprise considerable risk to front seat occupants. It was a meter placement such as this that nearly cost me my right eye.
It was a meter installation like this that nearly took out my eye in a collision.
The bracket at the top center of the illegal glazing section was only required after my more secure design was criticized by the Boston taxi regulators for 'appearing' to be vulnerable to intrusion by assailants there.
Steel 'cointray' hinge screwed to acylic plastic configuration. This feature is cited in a 1984 by Boston taxi regulators as a flaw to be corrected. It wasn't ever corrected. This configuration 'grandfathered-out' passively. Notice the screwdriver 'shim' jammed into the crevice between the window panel and the partition to reduce annoying rattle.
The edges of the 'partition window' (also known as the WEAPON ACCESS HOLE) and the bolts used to afix the plastic to the "B" pillar have a long and consistant history of inflicting injury in sudden stops and collisions.
Steel covers the padding on the back of the front seat. Design precludes head restraint retention.
Bracket bolt protrusions
After a few years of complaints about the sharp edges of the plastic cover over the 'passenger information cards', the partition maker (Bow St. Auto) reluctantly began putting a 'radius' on the corners of the plastic.
This is a 3rd generation partition configuration made by Bow St. This design allowed seat belt and head restraint retention. It was initially introduced only a couple of years after the USDOT's official 'Letters of Warning' were issued. The cost of the corrective measure is supposed to be free. It wasn't. Every cab owner had to buy new partitions. The USDOT, the Boston Police and Bow St. Auto all put the blame for the cost on me as the whistleblower.
This a knock-off of the Crowell Partition design, made by Superior Installation after collaboration with me, done in violation of contract. The 6 baffled holes made no discernable difference in the driver being able to hear rear seat occupants.
As if all of the required violations don't introduce enough risk... this cab owner added a handle - positioned perfectly to knock-out teeth.
Meter placement risk
Six foot tall cab driver, Alex Vainbraum, cramped by restriction of front seat adjustability due to fixed position of the partition.
A driver needs to be able to properly adjust the front seat position. This cab is equipped with a "Crowell Partition" which, unlike all other partitions, doesn't restict front seat adjustment.
Maliciously dangerous bolt protrusion
Another cab driver concerned about the metal edge replacing the illegally removed head restraint.
Fellow cab driver concerned about partition impact hazards.
Fellow cab driver pointing to hazards.
This partition has incorporated yet another attempt to address the audibility challenge with a baffle. Cheap intercoms and baffles just don't work. Notice the seat belt removed.
Bow Street Automotive's manfacturer label - missing the mandatory federal certification of compliance data.
This is a reciept from SI, for a coin tray, paid for by City Group Management, used to make a 'legal' partition... illegal.
Illegal coin tray parts from Superior Installations
Shoulder harness and head restraint removed.
It is obvious there were pasengers thrown into the partition.
The same cab that rolled over on Storrow Drive.
Cab roll-over on Storrow Drive.
This taxi was "T -boned" at Claiborn and Tulane Avenue. It was fortunate that there wasn't a passenger in the back seat at the time. If there was a passenger, there is a high liklihood they would have been trapped by the partition pressing against the rear seat.
Glaring example of compromised passenger compartment integrity
A section of illegal plastic automobile glazing dislodged from the collision
Taxi fleet owners, Tom & (daughter) Tina Ferrante, operating in Boston, purchased this 'bastardized' version of my design from Stanley Crowell (DBA - "Superior Installation").
The bastardized configuration utilized my technology, equipment, design and material. Unfortunately, Stanley couldn't resist the temptation to violate several FMVSS's, rather than stay with some of the 'original', mandatory corrective aspects of my design. Head restraints and seat belts were retained. My "protected' plastic bending technology was stolen & used. My foam, vinyl fabric, and configuration were stolen.
This partition, built by Superior Installations, is an illegal knock-off of the "Crowell Partition" design. Several of the "Crowell Partition" design features are used. 1) angled glazing to eliminate hazardous reflections, 2) padded 'head impact area', 3) abrasion-resistant glazing, 4) use of plastic, instead of sheet metal, for the lower half. 5) seat belt and head restraints left in place Several of the "Crowell Partition" design features are NOTused. 1) fixed, rather than 'dynamic' mounting - needlessly restricts front seat adjustability and limits rear seat leg-room, 2) sheet metal 'side sections - needlessly increase size of 'blind spots'
1/1/2000 Driver Slain
Boston Police Department cruiser circa 1989
Wrecked Massachusetts State Police Cruiser - view from rear left window
Same cruiser - the deformation of the steel grid was caused by the head of a front seat occupant.
Straight lines superimposed to show the extent of deformation. The operators' head must have struck the hard plastic glazing on the 'drivers' side' of the partition. There is little doubt that post-cranial impact has rendered many cruiser operators unconscious. Some failed to leave burning cruisers and were incinerated to death.
Massachusetts State Police Cruiser in Stoneham, MA MDC facility, ready for 'set-up'.
Dr. John Randolph Stone of North Carolina State University is a pre-conceptual scientist
Setina, of Olympia, WA, is the dominant supplier in the cruiser partition market. None of Setina's partitions comply, are certified to comply... nor do any have a Certification of Compliance label attached at the time of sale.
The roll bar and abundance of hardware is neither desired or needed.
An 'expanded steel' grid panel is not used in this partition design. "Waffling"the prisoner may not be possible... but it is obvious serious injury is still very likely in sudden decelleration or frontal impact.
The small plastic panels on the upper left and right sides are 1/4" acrylic... which is vastly inferior to the 3/8" polycarbonate plastic glazing Setina claims to use.
Setina's "Bodyguard" 8-S
Illegal partitions are a 'double edged sword'. It is certain that errant officers have used the partition to deliberately injure prisoners AND it is clear that illegal partitions have also inadvertantly caused injury and death to officers.
Arming Pilots. Taxi regulators remain a bit 'behind the times'. They still advise "cooperation" with killers.
8-23-97 N.O. driver shoots back The Times-Picayune was advised to stop portraying cab drivers as witless, vulnerable dupes likely to follow the advice of the authorities to "Comply with the demands of assailants" and began to portray them as willing and able to defend themselves. This ended an era when 13 cab drivers were killed in 3 years and began an ara when the deadliest occupation, in the deadliest US city saw the cab driver murder rate drop to ZERO for over ten years.
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs' Department K-9 cruiser. No rigid components, dogs merit occupant interior impact protection not afforded to prisoners or any occupants of cruisers with Setina style partitions.
In this Setina partition the expanded steel grid panel endangers all occupants.
Partition maker unknown
Partition Maker Unknown
1978-77 Impala Made into United Taxi 436
Jefferson Parish Sheriff cruiser. Partition maker unknown
Poor Fit
Setina partition in a Kenner, LA police cruiser
Sports Illustrated recalls 10 incidents involving taxis and sports figures.
Stephen and Liv Tyler Stephen suffered a facial laceration in a Town Taxi, in Boston after being thrown into the partition in a sudden stop, while Hugh McDonald was driving. Hugh needed to stop suddenly to avoid a collision with another car running a red light. Liv, his daughter, listened to me speak about my concerns regarding illegal partitions hazards such as the one that injured her father. My request to her, to ask her father to contact me was denied. I evicted her from my New Olrenas taxi.
This is the only positive response from any police agency.
This is a more typical police response. McGintys' letter is my only example of an official actually dismissing the violations in writing.
Danny Glover wanted a taxi. He found one - with a driver willing to break the rules while picking him up in order to accommodate Mr. Glover. The driver pulled up to a red light in an active traffic lane. Danny tried to open the locked door. The driver unlocked the doors. Dannys' daughter and friend got in the back seat. Danny sat in front. An additional violation. The driver informed Mr. Glover he was required to sit in the back seat, no one is allowed in the front until three are seated in the back.
The NYCTLC was very successful at shifting attention away from the fact that the parition was the source of the problem. The TLC influenced Mr. Glover to complain about the allegedly racially discriminating, non-white, driver who risked hundreds of dollars in penalties in his attempt to accomodate Mr. Glovers' needs. Danny couldn't fit in the back seat and wasn't allowed in the front seat, both because of the partition flaws, not driver discrimination.
Danny Glover with his attorney at the NYC TLC office.
Attorney Dan Ackman won over $7million in compensation for lost earnings for cab drivers who were snared in "Operation Refusal" which arose from the 'Glover Incident'. Most folks remember drivers getting 'busted'. Hardly anyone remembers that the 'busts' were ruled by the court as illegal.
Dianne McGrath-McKechnie TLC chairperson
McKechnie & Matthew Daus
Notice to passengers in NYC cabs advising them that the driver has promised cooperation with officers who might scrutinize risk of assault at a random stop.
Bedard on Liberty
This is a NYC taxi partition
"Third Shift" actors with illegal partition
This officer/actor is apparently aware of the risk of head impact.
This configuration from Setina Corp. of Olympia, WA gives the officer 3 options for where to seat the prisoner. In the middle with a lap belt only and the steel grid... or either outboard seat with a shoulder harness and no steel grid.
The TV show 'Friends' Phoebe and Joey in a taxi with a partition.
The TV show 'Friends' Joey in a taxi with a partition.
The gag here is Phoebe slams on the brakes and Joey hilariously flies into the partition, face first.
Typical posture for passenger sitting behind a partition.
Steve Georgills - partition dealer in NYC, outlaw
One persons' idea of the ideal 'purpose built' taxi. A pickup truck with a passenger box mounted where the pickup bed once was.
NYC cab partition
NYC cab partition before the masking is removed from the (illegal) Lexan glazing
Poor idea of safer cab. a pick up truck with a box on the back made into a passenger compartment.
Damage inflicted by impact with a taxi meter illegally mounted defeating the padding on the dashboard.
Bolt & Coin Tray Protrusion
Bolt Protrusion, window edge
Bolt Protrusion, Coin tray edges
No padding with metal shield
Contempt for drivers
This may have been the model of partition that Paul Sodhi was using when he was killed.
Paul Sodhis' illegal partition killed him Jan. 2011, an edge sliced through his cranium.
