The Boro Park Shomrim have issued an urgent warning to community members – DO NOT trust your safety to any car service driver you are not familiar with, and especially, that of your children.

The patrol issued its warning following a most unfortunate incident in which a driver took advantage of a child – and Shomrim efforts to investigate the matter were hindered by hostile and uncooperative employees at two car service companies, who attempted to “cover up” for the offending driver.

Only through their persistence were the Shomrim finally able to get to the truth, find out what went on – and make sure that the driver involved will be punished.

The patrol is warning local residents NOT TO PATRONIZE the “Mazel” and “Mexicana” car services, given their most unhelpful efforts to hinder the investigation.

“These two car services cannot be trusted,” a Shomrim coordinator warned. “If their people will lie to us while we are trying to get a bad guy off the streets, you can imagine that they could try to take advantage of you too.”

The Shomrim urge residents to avoid the use of car services if possible, since many of them have in the past been known to hire all kinds of shady characters with little or know background checking. “You don’t know who you are getting in a car with,” they note. If possible, arrange rides with friends or family members.

If you must use a car service, don’t just pick one out of the phone book; ask around and only use one – preferably heimish – which people you trust have used and had a good experience with.

Even so, be cautious.

If it can possibly be avoided, DO NOT ALLOW UNESCORTED CHILDREN to ride in cabs by themselves – an adult should go with them.

Women should also be wary about riding alone.

Any untoward incidents involving car service drivers should be IMMEDIATELY reported to the Shomrim via the 24-hour Emergency Hotline number, Emergency Number 718-871-6666