Tug-of-War Between Cabbies, Border Patrol Fades

The way things were going last year, Bill Hedrick was sure his Red Cab Company was destined to go out of business.

The Border Patrol had confiscated three of his 18 cabs because his drivers were carrying illegal aliens and it was going to cost thousands to get the cabs back.

Now, however, things are looking up for Hedrick. And more importantly, the tug-of-war between San Diego County’s cab companies and the Border Patrol--which erupted last year when border agents cracked down on cabbies who were transporting illegal aliens--has ceased.

“It’s much better now,” said Hedrick, who has been in the taxi business in San Diego for more than 40 years. “The whole problem before was with the drivers.”

Last year, more than 15 cabs were impounded in the first few months of 1985, prompting the Yellow Cab and Diamond Cab companies to limit service to the South Bay area for several weeks, for fear of losing vehicles and money.

Better communication and cooperation between cabbies and border agents have been credited with reducing the number of taxis seized in 1986, said Ed Pyeatt, a spokesman for the Border Patrol.

Although agents continue to routinely apprehend illegal aliens from taxis, unless agents can determine that the cabdriver “blatantly” sought out illegal aliens near the border to transport, the cab is not impounded. About 16 cabs have been seized since October.

“We are on a daily basis apprehending people from cabs, but generally we just deport the aliens and leave the cabdriver alone,” Pyeatt said. “Some of those guys would go much, much beyond the law and drive into open fields, blinking their lights” to attract customers.

“There is a mutual cooperation, better understanding with the Border Patrol,” said Tony Palmeri, a spokesman for Yellow Cab and Diamond Cab, which collectively operate 369 cabs.

“We have not had a cab seized all year.”

Hedrick said that if any of his drivers, who lease the cabs from him, are arrested for transporting illegal aliens or manage to get a cab impounded, they are fired on the spot.

“The wildcatters will always be around,” he said, “but I don’t want them working for me.”