One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Uber Driver Arrested For Grabbing USC Student's Butt
The driver allegedly grabbed the student's butt as she got out of the car. (Photo by MikeDotta via Shutterstock)
A woman used a campus safety app to call for help when her Uber driver grabbed her butt, ultimately leading to the driver's arrest. A student at USC called for an Uber on Saturday night. The driver took her to the University Park neighborhood near 30th Street as she requested, but when she went to get out of the car, the driver allegedly grabbed her butt, the L.A. Times reports.
The student used the app LiveSafe USCTrojan Mobile Safety to alert authorities. The app is available for students and staff at the school and allows them to contact police with one tap. Police can then use the app to track the individual's location, and the caller can then speak or text with 9-1-1. Students can also choose to share their location with friends.
After the student launched the app, campus police went to where she was. Meanwhile, LAPD found the Uber driver, 24-year-old Rodney Davis, and arrested him on suspicion of sexual battery after the student and a witness identified him.
Davis drove for both Uber and Lyft. A spokesperson for Lyft said that his account has been deactivated, and an Uber spokesperson said they also deactivated his account and are working with police.
The app came out last year, and students have been able to use it for a number of things, including reporting illegal activity and even asking for directions. About 12,000 students have downloaded the app so far, NBC LA reports.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
