YOU MUST KNOW *77
CAUTION
I knew about the red light on cars, but not the *77.
It
was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a
friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights
on.
Lauren's parents have always told her never to pull over for an
unmarked car
on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas
station,
etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice,
and
promptly called *77 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher
that she
would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher
that
there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his
rooftop
behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars
where
she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm
and
that he had back up already on the way.
Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the
unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others
surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and
tackled him
to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other
crimes.
I never knew about the *77 Cell Phone Feature, but
especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an
unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep
going to
a safe &quiet place. You obviously need to make some signals that you
acknowledge them (i.e. put on your hazard lights) or call *77 like
Lauren
did.
Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give
you
this little bit of wonderful information.
*Speaking to a service representative at **Bell**
Mobility
confirmed that *77 was a direct link to state trooper info. So, now
it's
your turn to let your friends know about *77.
Send this to every woman (and person) you know; it may
save a
life.