Rideshare driver in Chatham neighborhood of Chicago beaten, robbed by 3 passengers
A rideshare driver fell victim to a robbery and assault by passengers in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood during the early hours of Wednesday. According to police reports, three male passengers attacked the driver, stealing his phone in the 7800 block of South Lafayette Avenue around 2 a.m. The victim, although refusing medical treatment at the scene, faced a traumatic experience with the perpetrators still at large.
Area Two detectives have initiated an investigation into the incident, reflecting the rising concern for rideshare driver safety in the city.
Amidst a recent surge in rideshare driver robberies on Chicago’s West Side, Lori Simmons, organizer of the Chicago Gig Alliance (CGA), is spearheading efforts to compel city officials to take decisive action. Simmons, who has firsthand experience as a rideshare driver, expressed deep concern, emphasizing the inherent dangers of the profession.
Having spent five years as a full-time rideshare driver and continuing part-time, Simmons shared her apprehensions about the vulnerability of drivers, highlighting the lack of knowledge about passengers’ appearances and the absence of a requirement for legal names during app registration. She stressed that these factors create opportunities for individuals to exploit the system, using fake names or posing as passengers.