Taxi cabs line up near Penn Station in Manhattan. (Nov....

Taxi cabs line up near Penn Station in Manhattan. (Nov. 30, 2010) Credit: Craig Ruttle

A dozen livery cab drivers in New York City are getting bulletproof vests under a pilot program.

The president of the New York Federation of Taxi Drivers, Fernando Mateo, says the vests will provide another layer of protection for drivers in high-crime areas.

He says livery drivers are the target of some 300 robberies and assaults each month. The pilot program is being launched in honor of cab driver Cesar Santo, who was fatally shot in June.

Mateo says the vests were being donated by Security USA.

The Federation also is asking retired NYPD officers to donate their old vests.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

Impacts to marine life from power cable? ... LI's highest-paid CEOs ... Flag football on rise ... Out East: Jamesport Farm Brewery

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

Impacts to marine life from power cable? ... LI's highest-paid CEOs ... Flag football on rise ... Out East: Jamesport Farm Brewery

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