Following the brutal killing of a passenger in a livery cab on Coney Island, NYC taxi drivers are demanding the right to lock their doors to protect themselves and their riders.
Michael Shelonchik, 53, was violently pulled from the back of a livery cab and beaten to death on Tuesday after two unidentified assailants opened the vehicle’s door and attacked him, according to police.
In response, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD) is calling for immediate policy changes, arguing that existing regulations put both drivers and passengers at unnecessary risk.
What Taxi Drivers Are Saying
“Michael Shelonchik’s death was preventable,” said Fernando Mateo, spokesperson for the NYSFTD. “If the livery cab he was in had automatic door locks engaged, this tragedy might never have occurred. It’s time to take common-sense steps to save lives.”
The federation insists they’re “not asking for much,” just the ability to protect themselves and their passengers from outside threats.
Steven Rivera, President of the NYSFTD, emphasized the urgency of the policy change:
“Locking the doors to keep criminals out while allowing passengers to exit freely is a no-brainer. This simple change could mean the difference between life and death for our drivers and riders.”
Ongoing Investigation & Policy Push
The New York City Police Department is still searching for the two suspects responsible for Shelonchik’s death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, the NYSFTD has sent a letter to the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Commissioner, urging immediate action. They argue that allowing locked doors would prevent similar tragedies and improve overall safety.
“We’ve seen this over and over again—cabs stopped at red lights, stop signs, or stuck in traffic, and criminals take advantage by robbing passengers or attacking drivers,” Mateo explained.
As NYC taxi drivers continue to push for policy updates, the TLC has yet to respond to the federation’s demands.
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