During this month's sorting and packing for my move to New Mexico, I discovered a letter of apology I frankly forgot about. As any Seattle cabbie will tell you, they have been targeted by the SPD for years, with too many cab drivers losing their ability to work due to a vicious campaign minus any real explanation as to why. That's why I always have encouraged my fellow taxi comrades to be very proactive when issued a ticket. Many who haven't gone this route are either no longer driving or paying inflated insurance rates.
As this letter illustrates, I never gave up when I was ticketed. Too often, like this citation, no violation occurred. The reality is that an Uber driver was let into the intersection just before I entered, making the traffic stop even more nonsensical, without justification. But when you are hated, this kind of crap happens.
The apology was appreciated but it cost me money for no good reason whatsoever. As usual, I utilized the lawyer Doug Silva to get the ticket dismissed. When I started driving cab all those years ago, someone failed to tell me that suddenly I had become a criminal. I didn't know it then. I certainly know it now.
Your Letter to SPD Police Chief, dated 10-16-14
Dear Mr. Blondo,
I have been forwarded the letter that you sent to Chief O'Toole, dated 10-16-14, where you describe an interaction you had with a SPD officer. I am a supervisor in the PSD Traffic Section and I am very familiar with the intersection that you describe as well as the traffic patterns during Seahawk games.
I would like to apologize to you that your interaction was not a pleasant one. I would also like to state that you were indeed correct about Yellow Cab having a contract with the Amtrak Station to pick up train customers. The officer was obviously unaware of this contractual agreement. I have spoken to the officer and have informed him that he should have allowed you safe access into the Amtrak Station and should not have issued the citation. I will also be addressing the issue with all the officers who will be at the traffic section roll call before the next Seahawks game. It is my hope that this will clear up any misunderstandings and the taxis will be allowed to enter the Amtrak Station on a game day.
As far as the citation that was issued, unfortunately, it has already been processed and is not under my control. I suggest that you avail yourself of the opportunity to see the magistrate (Option 1 or 2 on the back of the citation). Feel free to print out a copy of this email and show it to the magistrate.
Again, I apologize for the inconvenience and it is my hope that your future interactions with Seattle Police officers will be more pleasant. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention so that it could be corrected and will hopefully not happen again. Please do not hesitate to call, if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Sergeant Richard F. O'Neill,
Seattle Police Department, Traffic Section, Tom 3 Squad
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Yes, a remarkable letter, marking the second I received from local police authorities. The first came from King County Sheriff Sue Rahf, providing a personal letter of apology after one of her Metro Under-cover officers chased me while I had two passengers in the cab. I have also received a third letter from the then-acting Chief Diaz but one I never opened due to my anger over an officer's perjury. Perhaps one day I will open it but I will never forgive the cop for lying. That kind of venal retribution is unforgivable.
But some good news is that Sue Rahf is back in active law enforcement, as she is now the interim Seattle Chief of Police. There she will remain until a new Chief is named.
Very DUMB! Eastside for Hire drivers
That these six guys are still driving at Sea-Tac is beyond me. They should be suspended if not charged with felonies. The situation is this. King County has informed all the renegade drivers working the airport that they must be operating beneath the legal umbrella of an association. Of course they call knew this but were ignoring paying association dues. KC told them to pay up or get out of the airport. Unbelievably, six Eastside-For Hire owners got it into their brains to report their payments were somehow fraudulent, unauthorized by them. Unreal! This set off a bunch of disjointed reactions from Chase Bank, making a bad situation far worse. Accounts have been frozen, etc. While Chase admitted their errors, weeks are required to get everything back to normal. King County regulators should not let these scoundrels get away with this. Teach these fools a lesson they will never forget. Suspend them. Fine them. Kick their butts!
No Rest for Kyoto Cabbies
In part due to a weaker Yen, tourists are flooding Japan with their bodies and money. One Kyoto cabbie says he is so busy, he won't be taking any time off, making the easy money while he can. Good move, is what I say.
Doubtful Concerning any lawsuit
Short of me winning the lottery, there will be no lawsuit against the City of Seattle and its complicity in allowing Uber to illegally operate in Seattle in the years 2012-2014. All the Seattle cabbies (and association management) are frozen in place. They are not moving forward. Nothing is going to happen.
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