And The El Paso, Texas Police Did Not Care
I was planning to write about my eventful life (not really) as a taxi driver today. The trips were regular. No one got out of hand until 4am.
I was in my taxi waiting for a fare. Then I saw a nervous guy come for the taxi. He stopped before he got to me. Then he sat on the curve.
After about five minutes, this guy got up and went towards the American customs. Were I work is in front of a port of entry from Mexico. The first guy met his friend there.
I thought the first guy and his friend were going to finally come ask for a ride. They did not. Instead, they went to the taxis a block away. These are border cab company taxis and they do not leave their workstation for anything less then fifty dolalrs. In the city of El Paso, it is against the law for a taxi driver to refuse service.
Well I kept an eye on the two guys with my car mirrors. In downtown El Paso, you have to stay awake and be aware of your surroundings.
Then about four minutes later of these two guys discussing something with the taxi drivers on the other street a border cab taxi pulled in behind me. This driver did his usual wondering around my taxi to see if there was any trip he could take from me. I do not know why these drivers think that just because I am in my car I cannot see them.
About the time, he stopped prowling for a fare the two guys can over, but stopped at the border cab drivers taxi.
I literally asked myself “do I want to mess with these yahoos”. People are always trying to swindle cab drivers and get a trip for almost free.
Then I said to myself, ‘well it could be a good trip”. Therefore, I put on my best face and said ‘hey guys” as I approached the two guys and the other driver.
At this time, the two guys looked at me reluctantly. I tried my salesmanship again and said,” How can I help you”.
One of the guys said, “ I am not going to lie to you. I only have ten dollars.” I responded, “Okay. Where do you want to go?” The same guy that spoke earlier told he wanted to go to Yarbrough and Montana. This trip is about 28 dollars.
I told them that and the guy said again “ I only have ten dollars”. I responded with “ Why would I give you a thirty dollar trip for ten dollars?” The guy that was speaking shrugged his shoulders.
The friend started going off about “well we were not talking to you” and “we were talking to this guy”. While he was speaking, he was getting tense and clenching his fist.
I have been around people like this. I figure he was ready to go off. Therefore, I called 911 to ask for assistance.
The next forty minutes I spent hoping the El Paso police officers would respond, calling 911 every time these yahoos approached me, and watching these guys’ movements in case they tried to rush me.
I actually had to get my three-cell aircraft steal flashlight from my car while I was back on my cell with 911 telling the emergency operator they were in front of me threatening me.
When the El Paso cops arrived, they got his side first. Then they talked to me.
I had to show them my ID. When the police ask the one that said “I am going to kill you” for his ID, he said he did not have one and the cops didn’t seen to mind.
In fact, they let these to idiots take another taxi home. In front of the cops while these yahoos were in the taxi, that was going to take them home again these yahoos said “we are going to get you” and the El Paso cops did not do anything.
I can tell you that what I got out of this is “forget you cops”. I have seen these police officers at their worst. Today, however, I lived my worst nightmare. Two people were threatening to kill me and I could not rely on the so-called public servants of this stupid city.
These events have just convinced me that we have to provide our selves with our own protection.
I plan to get a concealed weapons license. Next, time I will only have to make one call to the morgue.