[lynnmm]

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 going 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 OPP Dispatch. So, now it's your turn to
> let your friends know about #77.