Ala. Taxi Drivers Will Help Police Fight Crime

Birmingham and Jefferson County are getting some extra help fighting crime.

About 100 taxi drivers in Jefferson County have been trained to be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

If they see something, they can call police and report it immediately.

Yellow Cab announced the new "TOP" or Taxis on Patrol program Monday in front of Birmingham City Hall.

The taxis will be equipped with GPS technology that can send and receive information. They will also have security cameras that will be able to help police during investigations. Drivers are already scheduled to work around the clock, 365 days a year.

Drivers are told not to get involved in a crime but instead simply report it to authorities.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.