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#77 on your cell phone?
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| Playa24_7 |
Is this true?
received an e-mail story thing:
"For Canadians living in Canada, this may be useful information to remember. Subject: #77 on your cell phone
Lauren was 19 yr. old and in college. This story takes place over the Christmas/New Year's holiday break. It was the Saturday before New Year's and it was about 1PM 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 4 children (high school and college age) and have always told them never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather wait until they get a gas station, etc., so 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 where police cars where she was and there wasn'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" 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 give you this little bit of wonderful information. So now it's your turn to let your friends know about#77.Send this to every person you know, it may save their life
PS: This happened to a woman just off #1 highway, east of Calgary because of a similar incident as the above. She wasn't this lucky, she was caughtand murdered. This happened about two years ago, late one evening when she was going home from work (lived on a acreage NE of Calgary) and also in light of the recent attacks/assaults in the kamloops area - you just never know. pass it on."
Then the Truth apparently (SOURCE: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cell77.htm)
The Truth
Whether this particular story is real, we don't know, but the information it conveys is apparently sound.
TruthOrFiction.com talked with law enforcement agencies on both the East and West Coasts.
The consensus was that if you are suspicious about a patrol car wanting to pull you over, especially in an isolated area or at night, it's prudent to proceed to a place where would feel safer.
The problem is that the law says you are to obey an officer who says to pull over so if you do decide to continue, do so in a way that makes it clear you are not trying to evade him or her.
If you have a cell phone, call your local emergency number, usually 911, and you can be connected to a dispatcher who can help decide whether the car attempting to pull you over is legitimate.
Also, as happens in this eRumor, you can inform the dispatcher that it is your intention to comply, but only after you get to the next off ramp, gas station, populated areas, etc.
We've received numerous emails asking about the #77 procedure described in the eRumor.
Even though 911 is the most common number to use in an emergency, there are many states that have established other numbers as well for cell phone users, especially to report highway emergencies.
The #77 number is one of them. Some states use *77 or even #55.
The story that suggests using #677 is a Canadian version of this eRumor that inserted the numbers for reaching the Ontario Provincial Police in Ontario.
One of the reasons, according to a cell company we spoke with, is that the 911 calls from a cell phone go to different kinds of agencies depending on where the phone call is being made.
In some areas, dialing 911 on a cell phone may go to a city or county emergency dispatcher. In other areas, the call may go to a state highway law enforcement agency such as the highway patrol or state troopers.
In the states with the "77" numbers, cell phone users will usually get connected directly with a highway law enforcement agency.
For that reason, you will frequently see signs posted along some freeways, expressways, or toll ways suggesting use of a number other than 911 if you're using a cell phone. |
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| simms327 |
- thats scary
i forwarded this to all the women i know... |
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| Candeeman |
| Interesting........... |
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| joinT |
| quote: | Originally posted by niveole
true |
somewhat.. yes rapists try to pass themselves off as police officers..
but *77 or whatever.. pff.. just call 911, inform them you are being followed by what appears to be a police officer and they can confirm it..
never pull over on the side of some road in the middle of nowhere
always check snopes for this kinda stuff.
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/fakecop.asp |
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| zokissima |
| Very interesting. GOtta pass this on to some ppl. |
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