DENVER, Co. — There’s a program across the U.S. that’s gaining popularity. It’s called Taxis on Patrol. Cab drivers are being trained by police to catch bad guys.
Denver Police formed a partnership with Cabbies Trained to Watch for and Report Crime in 2011. The next day, a cab driver led officers to a suspect involved in a deadly accident that left valet Jose Medina dead.
“It was his first day on the job,” said Larry Stevenson with Taxis on Patrol. “He was just trying to earn a living for his family.”
A cab driver led investigators to Nora Noalsco, an illegal immigrant who was about to leave for Mexico.
“They’re trained to not get involved with anything, however if they see something they’re trained to say something,” Stevenson said.
Teddy Johnson helped police make an arrest when his cab was stolen. Someone also used his services when they needed quick cash.
“I didn’t know she was going to rob the bank,” cab driver Teddy Johnson said. “And matter of fact this was her third, she succeeded two times before so this was her third attempt to rob a bank. ”
Denver Police have received more than 1,000 tips from drivers. About 70 percent of those tips have resulted in investigations or arrests.
Now, more than 50 police agencies across the country use this partnership.
