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 g oing 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. This applies to ALL 50 states.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
You should take this post down, as dialing *77 in this area simply does not work. You have to call #77 to get the State Police
ReplyDeletedispatcher in MD and DE.
-Daddio
I thought it was #77?
ReplyDeleteIt works on ATT as well. I called a State Trooper in one day for driving 75 with his family in the car after the accident on the Vienna bridge, and was told my the supervisor to do that anytime i witnessed that, just give then details like the tag number and who is in the car. G Gray
ReplyDeletein md its #77, and it connects you to MSP
ReplyDeleteWhy would you not just call 911, which will give you emergency services dispatch everywhere???
ReplyDelete911 is for emergenicies. There are signs all along the road in MD, DE, and VIRGINIA advertising the #77 on cell phones, "Report Disabled Vehicles Dial #77", "Fender Bender? Dial #77" etc....so logically, one might assume that #77 dials to a police office somewhere close by.
ReplyDeleteWhy would you want to go to a "quiet" place? Go to a place with lots of people!!!
ReplyDeleteIn MD make sure you make your intent well know, hazards, pointing, signaling of some sort, if you not you go to jail for not stopping.
ReplyDeleteThis is posted on most interstates and around major cities, sorry you live in salisbury or wicomico county.
ReplyDeleteThe hicks of the world , probably cost to much to put up a sign.Wicomico needs to get in touch with the rest of the real world.
Dont tell me love the laid back way of life down on the shore , it might get you killed in todays world.
although this is good news #77 doesn't work in all states. Some use # 47 or #55 . So be careful. It's best to just dial the Nationally known 911 and give your reason clearly to the operator , it will save a lot of time !!
ReplyDelete