Charges against taxi firms withdrawn
The Whitehorse bylaw department has withdrawn charges against two taxi companies related to the use of security cameras.
The Whitehorse bylaw department has withdrawn charges against two taxi companies related to the use of security cameras.
In court proceedings Tuesday, Tom Wyers, the city’s bylaw enforcement supervisor, asked Justice of the Peace G. Burgess to withdraw the charges against Whitehorse Taxi and Yellow Cabs. Both companies are under the same ownership.
Burgess agreed to the withdrawal.
The charges originated from an investigation in January, where bylaw officers found the taxi drivers not using the vehicle security cameras. The cameras were operational, but were not recording.
Wyers said there is a way to tell when a camera is recording. There is a red light on the device to indicate it is recording.
As per Section 89 of the city’s Vehicle for Hire Bylaw, cameras must be recording at all times.
Bylaw officers, wearing plain clothes, take rides in taxis on occasion to make sure bylaws are being followed. Any issues found during these trips will be followed up.
Wyers spoke to the media after court was adjourned to explain his decision. He said the charges were withdrawn due to an error in the process.
“It’s procedural,” he said.
The bylaw department requested access to the camera’s footage of the ride.
Wyers explained that these requests need to go directly to the owner of the taxi service.
On this matter, the bylaw department sent the request to the specific driver.
Wyers said the procedural issue has been dealt with by his office.
He said he felt the error was enough to hinder the chances of a conviction.
Comments (2)
Up 3 Down 0
Tommy on Apr 12, 2018 at 4:24 pm
They withdrew charges because the bylaw dept screwed up. It’s not the first time they’ve had to withdraw charges in court. They’ve also issued many tickets and have had to cancel the charges after the fact. It happens more often then not. This just shows how incompetent the department is sometimes. Do it right the first time and save yourselves some embarrassment!
Up 2 Down 2
My Opinion on Apr 11, 2018 at 7:03 pm
There should be Cameras at City Hall to show how we are treated. Just go down there, they have a sign on the counter telling you how you should treat them but nothing about their customer service. (Or lack there of).