What Do You Think About Subway Searches?
by Brian Diedrick
It finally happened here. No, not an actual subway bombing — full-on bag searches from the NYPD. Not sure if we’re safer, not sure if we’re freer. We’re certainly carrying around fewer drugs… What do the cabbies think?
Alamgir
Where I hailed him: Midtown East
Where he hails from: Bangladesh
Years as a cabbie: 10
Previous profession: Construction
I think these searches in the subway are very sad. They say you have freedom of everything in the country, right? Freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom of religion… In some countries, I know, you do not have those freedoms. And America is still very free. But this cannot be good in the long run. Police being able to stop you and look through your personal belongings at will? This is not good. I do not know how much safer this will make the subway. I do know it has made us less free. I think America needs to be careful.
Farhat
Where I hailed him: East Village
Where he hails from: Pakistan
Years as a cabbie: 7
Previous profession: Teacher
It is ok I guess. I do not think that it will work very well. They will just go to another place, you know? But it is about making the people feel safe. That is why, I think. So, if it makes the people feel safe, that is ok. It is not much trouble, really. Maybe people will take more cabs, now... [laughs]
Malek
Where I hailed him: Murray Hill
Where he hails from: Pakistan
Years as a cabbie: 8
Previous profession: Gas station attendant
Security is the first thing that a country must protect. So, I agree — they should do that. But there is also a lot of politics in it too. But I think that the city and the police are doing it for us, doing it for the people, to make them safe, so I don’t have any problem with that. If they are looking for the suspicious people in the lines and they ask to search their bag, I don’t think they should have any problem with that. If they think that I am suspicious, and they ask to search my bag, I don’t mind that. But it is kind of sad where the world is heading. I don’t know where it is going. I came to the United States in 1995, and I miss that time very much. Now people in America have changed. People don’t seem to realize that if you are in my cab for a few minutes, we should treat each other well. People are more rude. Of course, many are still wonderful, God bless them.
Andre
Where I hailed him: Chelsea
Where he hails from: Haiti
Years as a cabbie: 3
Previous profession: Clerk
Get my bag checked on the subway? No problem! Maybe it means people won’t be carrying bags everywhere, knocking into other people. You know? Some of these backpacks – outrageous! Sure, sure I’m scared to get bombed just like the next guy. I’m glad I don’t usually ride the subway during rush hour.
Hicham
Where I hailed him: Chelsea
Where he hails from: Morocco
Years as a cabbie: 5
Previous profession: Restaurant
It is good to do this. If it is for our safety, I agree one-hundred percent. If this is something they need to do, that is fine with me. I, personally, am not taking the subway. Lately I have been driving the cab home. My roommate – he got searched. The policemen asked to see his bag, and he said ‘Sure, look at whatever you like.’ They looked through the bag and then did not hassle him anymore. He said they were very polite. No worries.
