Unmarked Police Cars & *77

[Stacey Vise]

*77 - Unmarked Police CarsI have not checked-out the validity of this, however, it may have worth,...

Something to know, RE: *77
I knew about the red emergency lights used on unmarked police cars, but not the *77.

It was about 1:00 PM 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 to the side of the road for an unmarked car, but rather dial *77 (a direct link to State Trooper info.), and to wait until arriving at a safe place; 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 car rooftop behind her. 

The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars at Lauren's location, and there weren't; he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.

Ten minutes later 4 police cars surrounded her and the unmarked car driving behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They secured the situation, 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.

..something to know that may save a life. 



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