Call Sign April 2001

Dial-a-Cab's second floor Administration department became a much quieter place on Monday March 26th because there was no longer that young French lady sitting in the corner making her presence felt - Denise Zemma had been in London from her native Lyon in France since 1973 and she was now going home.
   "I love London and I love Dial-a-Cab," said Denise, "but the time is now right for me to return home and say au revoir."
   Denise joined Dial-a-Cab (ODRTS as it was then) in 1977 when we were still at the converted house in Shirland Road and the late Peter Fennymore was Chairman. Other than a few breaks, Denise has been with DaC ever since.
   "Peter Fennymore couldn't get used to my rather thick accent in those early days and used to call me Louise! Even when I eventually explained, he had become so used to it that I became Louise during his term of office!"
   Denise had a 'leaving' party the previous week when twenty of her work friends took her to a north London restaurant...
   "There was laughter, wine and tears," said Denise. "It was wonderful, but there was that tinge of sadness knowing why we were there. Do you know that Dial-a-Cab is such a friendly place to work and that is why so few people want to leave Brunswick House - that includes me!"
   On the day of her leaving, there was a small lunch in the DaC Board room, when most staff and Board members popped in to say goodbye.
"That was even worse than the restaurant," a

Denise Zemma Returns to La Belle France

Denise Zemma

still tearful Denise told Call Sign as she walked out for the last time, "so much love, so many tears! I will never forget all my friends here and I hope they will not forget me. Could you also please pass on my fond farewells to all the drivers that I have met over the years.
"Bonjour dial-a-cab, I will miss you..."
Denise hopes to open un Gîtes (type of B&B) in the French northwestern town of Limoges.
From everyone at DaC, thanks Denise and good luck...

CALL SIGN, VIOLENCE IN THE CAB PLACE AND CCTV

The March issue of Call Sign provided this trade's only interviews with victims of the recent mini-crime assault against London's licensed taxi drivers. Three Dial-a-Cab drivers told of their horrific moments when faced by potential robbers with guns or knives. One driver, Stan Carter (M95), ended up in hospital with stitches. The issue provided this magazine with more congratulatory phone calls and emails for bringing the problems to the fore than for any other issue.
We also spoke to James L. Szekely, the President of the International Safety Council for Taxi Drivers, based in Huntingdon, Connecticut, USA. His quote to us was that closed circuit TV cameras - with cameras now no bigger than pinheads - were a must to help fight these type of attacks which are now a world-wide phenomenon. That message went to the PCO who are on this magazines mailing list.
We now hear that the PCO has announced an

amendment to the Conditions of Fitness. In-cab surveillance systems may now be installed to aid the prevention and detection of criminal activity. Stipulations are that each installation must take full account of passenger and driver safety and be appropriately signed so that passengers are aware of its existence. The images captured on any system must remain secure at all times and be accessible only to the licensing authority and police or other body specifically approved by the licensing authority.
Our congratulations to the PCO for taking note and acting so speedily.
If anyone is interested in making an application to have a specific CCTV system (including signage) approved for use in London licensed taxis, they should make it to the Chief Inspecting Officer at the Public Carriage Office.

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