This was emailed to me by a friend. I was curious if this may be another "hoax". I remember in the past there was something like this and when the number was called the person was billed for pay per call usage. One phone called supposedly totalled over $10,000. Crazy!!! FEATURE #77 ON YOUR CELL PHONE I never even knew about this #77 feature! A young woman named Lauren was following behind a state police car. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Her parents have always told her never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather wait until they get to a gas station, etc. So Lauren had actually listened to her parents' advice, and promptly called #77 on her cell phone to tell the dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there were 2 police cars, one unmarked behind her and one marked in front of her. The dispatcher checked if there were 2 police cars where she was. There wasn't and she was connected to the policeman in front of her and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back-up already on t he way. Ten minutes later 4 police 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. Thank God Lauren listened to her parents! She was shaken up, but fine. I never knew that bit of advice, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should NOT pull over for an unmarked car in a secluded area. In fact, even a marked car after dark should follow you to a populated area. Apparently, police have to respect your right to keep going to a "safe" 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. Be safe and pass this on to your friends. Awareness is everything. This is incredibly valuable information that I didn't know about calling t he police dispatcher when a cop is signaling to pull you over in a secluded area. I urge you to pass this info on to everyone you know especially women who drive alone
That's true! Except that it isn't always *77 or #77. I took a cross-country drive a year or two ago and noticed how many states had signs with numbers for police dispatch or turnpike safety dispatch - they all called them something different and the numbers were all different. I just now pulled a state out of the blue and looked up the Kansas Turnpike Authority - look at http://ksturnpike.com/kta/kta.html At the very bottom of the page it says: How can I get emergency service? An emergency assistance toll free phone number for cellular phone users is available by dialing *KTA. So, that would be *582 in Kansas. That was good, Lori. On that trip I noticed that and was impressed thinking every state should have that and how I would feel so much more comfortable driving alone (especially a female driving alone) knowing I had direct contact with the patrol dispatch. John Luv2bSecureAndSafe
So it's another kind of service then the 911 emergency, more kind of an urgent helpdesk? Sound like a very good service! I never heard we had such a service overhere, but who knows?
Can you say Urban Legend? Maybe is true, maybe not. Currently listed as true. http://www.snopes.com/index.htm Interesting little read on this story. As soon as I see one of those feel good stories being passed around, I check it at Snopes. Like John says, every state usually has a cell quick call number. It would not hurt to make note of those when you see them. In Missouri last year, there was a young girl whose car broke down at night and a "good samaritan" stopped to help her. She was on her cell to her boyfriend asking him to come and get her, and said someone had just stopped. The call abruptly ended.They found her body and the killer a few days later. Not a feel good story, but true. I think I'm becoming too cynical. You take care of yourself Lori. These are trying times and random violence is as real as the sunrise.
Oh, I know that all too well... I live in North East Ohio, to be specific, I live in a not so good neighborhood of Cleveland. Unfortunately I've had my share of semi violent attacks and two stalkers. Both have been arrested! Thank God! Needless to say, I am well protected besides knowing my share of self defense! Being a single mom... I find that I'm all about protection!!! Thanks for the responses to the "email". I'm going to look into it and find out what the number is for my state!
