A recent surge in violence against taxi drivers in New York City has sparked calls for action after a series of pepper-spray attacks and robberies have come to light. The so-called "Pepper Spray Crew," a group of young individuals believed to be between the ages of 17 and 19, has targeted livery drivers across the city.
As reported by ABC7NY, one taxi driver, Juan Grullon, recounted a harrowing experience where "It was very difficult to breathe, my eyes was burning, and my nose and everything," still feeling the aftereffects of a pepper-spray attack.
The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers has reported at least 19 incidents since late January, indicating a concerning trend that hits close to home for drivers, ranging in age from 22 to 73, and the families who depend on them for their livelihoods, the federation is urging the NYPD to increase communication regarding this ongoing threat, and the NYPD has released images of the individuals believed to be responsible as described in Bronx News12.
Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, highlighted the organization's frustration over lenient legal outcomes, stating to ABC7NY, "If you go out and you pepper spray a judge or you pepper spray a DA or you rob them, is the treatment going to be the same? That's what we're asking here. Are drivers being treated differently than other people?" This criticism stemmed from a judge's decision to release one of the arrested suspects even though the District Attorney's Office asked for $300,000 bail.
Meanwhile, the NYPD has made some progress with the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect in connection with the robbery spree urging the public to come forward with any information related to these attacks and promising to take every report seriously, as a more robust and just response is sought in response to these crimes against community drivers, the Federation continues to call for stronger accountability, “We're asking our legislators, if you see that these people, whether they're kids or not, if they're committing adult crimes, punish them accordingly," Mateo told Bronx News12. The NYPD is encouraging anyone with information on the remaining suspects to reach out to the NYPD Crime Stoppers tip line.
