POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- City manager Tom Lawson announced Tuesday morning that he and the Poplar Bluff Police Department are on the lookout for people who are operating illegal taxicabs in the city.

Known in some areas as gypsy cabs, these cars are not licensed as taxicabs and are operating illegally.

"We have alerted the police to this," Lawson said. "We're trying to locate the people who are committing this illegal act. I assume they're giving their number out saying anyone who needs a cab call and they'll pick them up.

"That's totally illegal. They have no license, they have no commercial insurance, it's simply a real risk for anyone who rides with them and a risk for them because they're violating a city ordinance and no telling how any other state laws."

Lawson said the city welcomes legitimate taxi companies in the city and encourages anyone who wants to begin such a business to contact city hall.

He also encourages anyone with information about the illegally-run cabs to contact the police department or city hall.