Board upholds taxi commission’s revocation and suspension of driver linked to threats and convictions
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Summary
The Board of Appeals upheld the Taxi Commission’s summary suspension and revocation of Grasshopper Alec Kaplan’s medallion and permits by a 5‑0 vote after testimony from taxi commission staff and SFPD describing prior threats and criminal convictions.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals upheld the Taxi Commission’s decision to suspend and revoke permits for taxi driver Grasshopper Alec Kaplan, voting 5‑0 to sustain both the summary suspension and revocation.
Taxi Commission counsel summarized a series of incidents dating to July 2007 and cited a criminal conviction for operating without a permit and other offenses. "We just have no evidence to the contrary...this individual represents a significant public‑safety risk," the Commission's representative said.
Sergeant Reynolds of the San Francisco Police Department described a January–July 2007 incident in which a fare reported that Kaplan told her he would kill himself and her during a ride; Reynolds said the woman has been "perpetually scarred" by the episode. Kaplan's attorney raised notice and due‑process objections and disputed some factual claims; Kaplan himself apologized and said he had been trying to support himself. Several taxi‑industry witnesses opposed reinstating Kaplan, while others described assistance he had provided to colleagues. After deliberation the board voted to uphold the commission's actions.
