#77

Cool! Another one of those in my mailbox. It's been so long since I received one. I think last time it was about a Poison Spider underneath toilet seat :P

Well, this story remind me of the Thai Horror flix: 999-9999. That movie was FUNNY!

>It was about 1 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 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 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 police man
>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 woman (or
>man) you know, it may save a life!

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. 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.
From http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cell77.htm