The arrest of a second Uber driver on sex-related charges this month has prompted Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria to pen a letter to the ride-sharing company’s CEO asking for stricter screening processes. DeMariawrote that these “two extremely disturbing incidents” have affected the community’s safety and well-being.
Earlier this month, Uber driver Darnell Booth,who was found to have had an extensive criminal record, was charged with the rape of a 16-year-old girl, according to authorities. On Sunday, Everett police charged 28-year-old Paul Griffin of Malden with several sex-related offenses after a female victim reported to officers that a man in a gray Dodge Caravanallegedlyexposed his genitals to her. The victim had previously reported a similar incident with the same vehicle and suspect in Everett, according to officials.
She provided police officers with the registration plate number and a description of the suspect. Officers apprehended Griffin after approaching his vehicle on Ferry Street, which then accelerated and turned onto a dead end. Griffin was taken into custody after fleeing through several yards on foot and was charged with open and gross lewdness, lewd and lascivious conduct, failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest, officials said. “This is the second incident of Uber drivers assaulting women just in the last couple of weeks and we are still waiting for the Department of Public Utilities to implement new regulations requiring criminal background checks for Uber drivers,” DeMaria said in a statement. “I once again call on the Legislature to go back into session. Amend this legislation to immediately require thorough background checks for all drivers, and require fingerprinting. Clearly, these drivers should be thoroughly vetted and they are not.”
Everett mayor writes to Uber CEO after another driver arrested
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