Drivers Taking Extra Safety Precautions Since Cabby Murder

DETROIT (WWJ) - A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing of a Checker Cab driver on Detroit's east side Saturday morning.

Police say the 42-year-old cab driver was found dead, lying next to his cab on Goulburn Avenue.

Metro Detroit cab drivers say they're taking extra steps to protect themselves and help ensure their safety. Cabby Glywin McJennett says they ask to be paid first.

"A lot of times we have to ask for it up front , which according to the city we can, so, I mean, someone will say ... "Oh, my mother has it, you know, and they're 85-years-old themselves , I mean, we, we, we know the games they play."

"Most of the problems happen during the dark hours, not during the daytime, so we've got to be more careful at night ... we've got to close our shields up, lock our doors, we've got to look at who we pick up ... and sometimes people wonder why we don't pick up ... we're trying to be careful for ourselves."

One cabbie said this was just a symptom of a larger problem in society, including drug use.

"The people (are) frustrated, you know, especially the young generation ... because they (don't) have jobs, they (don't) have activity here ... parents (don't) care for them," said one cab driver.

Many cab drivers say they have to be careful who they pick up ... and many say they won't pick up large groups of teenagers.