‘Gypsy’ Cabbies

The Times reported that the driver of a “gypsy” cab has been sentenced to 15 months in county jail. Although I agree that taxi drivers should be licensed and monitored by the city, I strongly disagree with a sentence of this length.

Perhaps it is because I know this young “gypsy” cab driver that I am furious. We were unaware that he was unlicensed and called him time and again for rides to the airport. Always on time, always courteous, never reckless, we admired his determination to succeed in his small business. The last time we used his service, he sadly told us of the cost of liability insurance and the resulting problems for him.

If this taxi driver is being used as an example to others that they must be licensed, so be it. But 15 months in jail serves no other purpose than to pacify our city’s rude, illiterate cab drivers who just happened to be organized.

SANDRA LIPPS

Marina del Rey