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She Tells Taxi Commission Of Bad Cabbies And Gets Results Ms. Cecelia De Freitas of Ralph Avenue has officially voiced a series of complaints to the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) that seems to echo the charges of many other Brooklynites: Solicitation on the street by roving private taxis. She has written to authorities and has received answers advising her that she may proceed with her complaints via an "administrative hearing," in person, at the commission's headquarters on Rector Street in lower Manhattan. In a letter written to the Director - For Hire Vehicle Complaint Department at the TLC, Ms. De Freitas wrote: "On numerous occasions, I have been disturbed by taxis or private vehicles while waiting in various bus stands. The drivers would slow down or even stop in front of me while honking their horns, thinking I will automatically enter their vehicles." She cited a number of instances where drivers bothered her, especially while she was at a bus stop, and noted one specifically where the driver of a black limousine slowed down and honked, and when she waved him off, he actually "reversed his car" and stopped right in front of her. She again waved him off, telling him, "What you're doing is illegal!" He said something like, "You're crazy!" and sped off. "Seconds later, along came a white taxi," she said, "and he slowed down and did the same thing. He finally drove off," she said. Ms. De Freitas said incidents "just like this" happen all the time, with some drivers going far out of their way to try to pick up a fare. And she said she doesn't blame the pedestrians who have been waiting for a bus for a long time and take advantage of the cabs. "I can't blame them for being impatient waiting for a bus. I just think there should be other locations besides bus stops where the taxis can wait." Dawn Mitchell of the TLC's Correspondence Unit said the commission is just the regulatory body for the taxi industry and not their employers, "therefore, we're required by law to conduct a hearing in which your participation will be necessary." She said hearings are scheduled every half hour weekdays. For the hearings, the complainant will be required to include all documentation. Mitchell says she must be contacted within 14 days or the case will be closed. "I just thought this whole series of incidents should be brought to the attention of people in the community so they could be aware if it happens to them," said Ms. De Freitas
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