New York City Council Members Laurie A. Cumbo, Brad Lander, Ydanis Rodriguez released the following joint statement today after a 33-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a Brooklyn green Boro taxi cab driver on Monday. Esa Alusaimi, 26, was later arrested and charged with rape at the 76th Precinct.
“We are a city that relies on the trust of our taxi and livery car service enterprise; the industry is a vital component to our city’s transportation system. We, without question, put tremendous trust in NYC cab drivers. It is with this trust that we step into taxis with ease and confidence, and allow them to shepherd us safely to our destination. Sadly, that trust was shattered for one passenger Monday morning. Our hearts go out to the survivor that endured rape at the hands of Esa Alusaimi. A sexual crime of this magnitude is repulsive and must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We pray for the survivor, friends and family that will carry this heavy burden of hurt. We hope that the survivor’s journey towards healing is filled with support, warmth and love from people both close and far.
“It is appalling and reprehensible that a City taxi driver, who was entrusted with the welfare of New Yorkers, would assault a passenger. The taxi driver, Esa Alusaimi, endangered the health, safety, and well-being of an innocent individual when he decided to utilize his vehicle as a setting to commit harm. Predatory behavior will not be tolerated. We applaud NYPD’s 76th Precinct for their quick action, which led to the immediate arrest of the alleged suspect who was later charged with rape. Though his arrest cannot erase the tragic events that transpired, we hope that it will aid in the recovery process of one New Yorker who courageously came forward despite the tragedy that took place.
“As public servants we are here to help support New Yorkers in times of need. We trust in the professionals that provide care and the incredible resources that exist in NYC for victims of rape and sexual assault. Our offices are available to guide survivors in any way possible through safe and confidential means,” said Cumbo, Lander and Rodriguez.
Also standing in solidarity against this heinous act and to provide an outpouring of support for this Brooklyn woman was the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, and public and private officials from the taxi cab industry.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim, and we commend her courage in reporting this terrible crime. Rape is a savage and reprehensible act,” said Taxi and Limousine Commissioner and Chair Meera Joshi. “The fact that this involved a TLC-licensed service, in which people rightly place their trust hundreds of thousands of times each day, makes it all the more abhorrent. We have every confidence that the NYPD will investigate this heinous crime extensively and hold the person responsible to the fullest extent of the law.”
“This is a deplorable act of violence that is simply unacceptable in our City. Our hearts go out to this individual. The entire transportation industry is committed to working together and ensuring that all passengers experience only the highest degree of safety,” said David Pollack, Director of Melrose Taxi Action Center; Richard Kay President of the Taxicab Service Association; Ira Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer, Black Car Assistance Corporation; Tweeps Phillips, Executive Director, Committee for Taxi Safety; Erhan Tuncel, Managing Director, League of Mutual Taxi Owners (LOMTO)
“The reported actions of Esa Alusaimi are outrageous and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family. No passenger should ever feel unsafe entering a for-hire vehicle. As an industry we screen all drivers to protect passengers and pedestrians alike. The actions of one driver do not represent our industry. We will continue to improve safety protocols to ensure every passenger’s well-being,” said Jose Altamirano, President of Livery Base Owners.
“While the members of the Livery Roundtable (LRT) do not include the green taxis, we believe all providers of transportation must put the safety and wellbeing of passengers first. We join the Council Members in condemning the abhorrent actions of the green taxi driver. We applaud the police for catching this criminal. Our thoughts are with the passenger,” said Avik Kabessa, a LRT board member.
