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Unmarked police cars? - 11/8/2007 3:42:34 PM

truebeauty

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Maybe this is the wrong place for this, I am not sure, but I wanted to pass it along. I will trust someone to move it if it should be else where...
who knows it may save a life- guys pass it on to your female friends girlfriends wives and significant others. - couldn't correct the big print... peace me WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION # 77 " *77 ''
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 them 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 near 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 along with 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, including previous Impersonating an Officer charges.

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 haza rd 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 BellSouth Mobility confirmed that *77 was a direct link to state trooper info in all states. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about *77.

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/8/2007 3:47:28 PM

CalifChick

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It's basically an urban legend. Gotta love Snopes.com. http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/fakecop.asp . Basically, it works in some places, some it's #77, some it's something else... but 911 always works.

Sharon

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/8/2007 3:49:44 PM

slaverosebeauty

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I was always told to dial "9-1-1" and tell them you are being followed by what appears to be an 'unmarked' car; and ask them if their are any cars in your area and if someone has ran your plate, if not, keep driving, don't make any sudden moves and wait for MARKED cars to show up, do NOT get out of your vehicle.

Having friends who are in law enforcement presently and past, taught me that. I have never heard of the *77 though.

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/9/2007 9:39:52 AM

soultoshare

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Having worked for a state police agency, yes, you can use the *77 feature, but the problem you may run into has to do with where you are vs where your cell phone is "registered". I have taken calls from folks who lived in Chicago, but were reporting an accident or incident occuring 250 miles away. While in Tulsa, OK, I took a call from a gentleman who lived in Tulsa, was traveling in Kansas and was reporting a fairly serious accident. While technology is wonderful, it still has it's limitations. use 911.....you have a better chance of getting to a local department! Even so, they are only going to be able to tell you the location of THIER officers, not the county or state guys.

Also, anytime you think that there is any kind of problem with the appearace of an officer/vehicle behind you, simply slow down, turn on your 4-ways and drive to a well-lit area...if he's a real cop and thinks you are not stopping, trust me, there will be plenty of corroborating officers in no time! I myself have been lit up when there is no safe place to pull over, I did the 4-way thing and had no problem with the officer when I was finally able to pull over. A real officer will understand this...even if he writes you a ticket for failing to yield, fight it, go to court, explain to the judge....it just might be dismissed. Never open your door, turn off your engine, or roll down your window......don't even put the car into park.....if something goes wrong, pull outta there! Ask for a supervisor to come by if you really think there's something wrong....point is, if your gut is telling you that something isn't kosher...LISTEN to it!

Unfortunately, the equipment is available to anyone who wants to pay for it.....it's a huge issue for police departments....most feel that there should be some sort of control over things that are sold to the public, but as long as the companies get their money, they don't care who they sell to.

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/9/2007 9:48:16 AM

pahunkboy

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last time i was cross country on i80 i seen a female clearly broke down. i was to fast to stop and help her- but called 911- they connected me to the turnpike authority who sent a cop to help. in my experience working gas on i80; the cops can get a tow truck much faster then the motorist. for insurance reasons some tow trucks cant do i80. i felt bad for folks who broke down on weekends. mechanics dont work then -even so part are not available. i observed that new cars break as much as old cars do. i seen countless new cars break down. one of my sarcastic favs was when the motorist would blame me for back ups. drive reckless- then wreck- then it is the gas station attendents fault. lol.

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/9/2007 11:56:37 AM

velvetears

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i was driving in Canada alone and had a car behind me with a flashing light motioning for me to pull over. i kept driving, fearful that it could be anyone that got a hold of one of those lights, impersonating a trooper. i kept shaking my head no and i know he saw me in my rear view mirror. i figured he would call for backup and i would see a marked car, then i would pull over. He got off an exit and i went on my merry way - glad i had not pulled over. i simply would not pull over ever for an unmarked car.

We even had an incident on I84 in NYS where a trooper pulled over a woman and killed her - he was in a state trooper car - that is very upsetting. They can be psychos too, although what can you do? Not pull over??

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/9/2007 2:33:55 PM

Alumbrado

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If you are truly convinced that the vehicle is up to no good, you can drive to the nearest police station or public place, and weigh the risk of getting a minor ticket against your fears.

The notion that no one has to stop any more because it might be a psycho cop or impostor is a non-starter.

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/9/2007 3:14:52 PM

defiantbadgirl

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What I worry about is getting pulled over at night on the highway. Without street lights, it's hard to tell whether or not a car is marked.

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/9/2007 10:04:02 PM

velvetears

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Alumbrado

If you are truly convinced that the vehicle is up to no good, you can drive to the nearest police station or public place, and weigh the risk of getting a minor ticket against your fears.

The notion that no one has to stop any more because it might be a psycho cop or impostor is a non-starter.

Not always easy to do when it's night time and you haven't a clue where anything is located.

i never said no one has to stop anymore because it might be an imposter - just that i didn't in that particular instance. i would definately pull over if i saw a trooper car, the consequence would far outweight the risk of not stopping.

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RE: Unmarked police cars? - 11/9/2007 10:15:36 PM

laurell3

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Just a thought, but in the US you can always dial 911 (assuming you have a cellphone, if you don't, you should know that 911 service is free in most states even for nonserviced phones). The dispatcher should know if an officer is pulling you over in their jurisdiction.

< Message edited by laurell3 -- 11/9/2007 10:50:47 PM >

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