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Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement about Sexual Assault Charge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                 802.735.7962

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement about Sexual Assault Charge

“The sexual assault charge announced last night by the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations is deeply troubling to me.  My heart goes out to the victim and her family.

In the wake of this terrible event and based on escalating concerns about the City’s taxi system, we must redouble our efforts to reform the system and enhance our enforcement efforts to protect the traveling public. 

Following focused discussions over the past two days, I have directed the following actions: 

  • Effective immediately, Chief Michael Schirling will assign Burlington Police Department officers to enhance enforcement of the taxi ordinance for a period of at least 90 days, culminating with a report back to me with recommendations regarding permanent changes to the City’s taxi ordinance enforcement system.
  • The Mayor’s budget for FY16, which will be formally submitted to the City Council in early June, will include $60,000 to enable the City to add to taxi enforcement staff if such a permanent enforcement increase is recommended in the Police Department report.
  • As previously planned, the Mayor’s budget will include funds to create an additional Assistant City Attorney position in FY16 to increase the City’s capacity to respond rapidly to emerging legal and policy issues, including those surrounding the City’s taxi system.
     

These actions are intended to support and complement the previously planned transfer of the taxi licensing and oversight functions from the Burlington International Airport to City Hall on July 1, 2015.

We appreciate that Uber has cooperated with law enforcement throughout this investigation and provided information helpful to bringing the suspect to justice.  Ensuring that the public is as safe as possible at a time when the City’s taxi system is undergoing substantial review and new transportation technologies are emerging continues to be a priority for the Administration.”

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Press Release Date: 
05/21/2015
City Department: 
Mayor's Office