After a recent sexual assault allegation involving an Uber driver, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is advocating for increased regulation and oversight of rideshare services in the city. According to Boston Herald, Flynn has submitted a letter to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Police Commissioner Michael Cox requesting the Boston Police Department to more actively regulate rideshare operations, including measures such as fingerprinting and driver registration.
Hermann Ngoufack Jiokeng, a 39-year-old rideshare driver from Brighton, was arrested and charged with the rape of an intoxicated female passenger after she left the Loco Taqueria and Oyster Bar. The incident has prompted Flynn to propose the creation of a division similar to the Hackney Carriage Unit of the BPD to address rideshare-related issues. Flynn also highlighted that while Massachusetts requires a two-step background check for rideshare drivers, there is no current requirement for fingerprinting, which he seeks to address.
In relation to the case, Jiokeng was not granted bail during a dangerousness hearing yesterday, as prosecutors argued before the Boston Municipal Court that the victim was too intoxicated to be able to give consent. "The victim indicates that she was raped in the back of the vehicle," a victim statement cited by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office at the hearing detailed. The Boston 25 News reported that the victim's roommate called 911 after witnessing Jiokeng's vehicle outside their apartment.
While Massachusetts's Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is primarily responsible for regulating the rideshare industry, Flynn's initiative seeks to establish more localized control. He told Boston 25 News that "Passengers in Uber and Lyft deserve and need a protection, and to ensure their safety is paramount." Mayor Wu expressed her gratitude for the quick police response in the "horrible situation" and promised continued commitment to the investigation. Meanwhile, Uber has banned the accused driver and the BPD continues to invite anyone with further information to contact their Sexual Assault Unit.
The Boston City Council is scheduled to meet next Wednesday to discuss potential revisions to existing rideshare regulations, as suggested by Flynn. While discussions on safety and oversight continue, the city is awaiting a judge's decision on whether Jiokeng poses a danger to the community, with no established timeline for the ruling.
