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TPD partnering with cab company

TPD is partnering with the Black & White cab company to put more eyes and ears on the road and to help keep the streets safe.

TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - TPD is partnering with the Black & White cab company to put more eyes and ears on the road and to help keep the streets safe.

The Transportation on Patrol, or TOPS, initiative is sponsored by the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association (TLPA). It is designed to use a cab company's fleet of drivers as an additional set of eyes on the road to help police do their job.

"They've got approximately 100 cabs in the Toledo are, that's 100 pairs of eyes 100 pairs of ears that can assist us in doing our job of protecting our citizens out here in the community." say Toledo Police Chief Derrick Diggs.

TPD will train the drivers on how to spot criminal or suspicious activity, and use the cab company's communications equipment to send that information to police. Chief Diggs says the drivers will not intervene in any situation, only observe and report, acting like a mobile block watch.

"They're just like any other block watch organizations or programs. They are just the eyes and ears of the police department to keep us informed on what's going on in the community."

On top of identifying criminal activity, drivers will also be trained to spot fires, car accidents, medical emergencies and impaired drivers. The service is a first our region, and one the cab company is proud to offer.

"It's very important for us, this is where we make our living. And I think it's important to be a part of the solution." says Scott Potter, co-owner of Black and White cabs.

AND THE DRIVERS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM HOPE THEIR INITIATIVE WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

And drivers like Daniel Mullins, hope their initiative will inspire others to do the same.

"I think that if a lot more, other companies joined forces with it, I think that it will help keep the community safe."

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