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Whether the story is true is not known.
However, the actions suggested are worth noting and sharing with
your loved ones.
Subject: Cell Phone
I never even knew about this #77
feature! This actually happened to someone's daughter.
Lauren was 19 years old and in
college. It was the Saturday before New Year's and it was about 1 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 four 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 to 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 was a
police car where she was, and there wasn't, and he told her to keep
driving, remain calm and that he had backup already on the way.
Ten minutes later four 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 that bit of advice, 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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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If you are traveling in Illinois, you
can hit the number sign, #, followed by 77, or in some areas,
depending on the cell carrier, *77, on your cell phone. Your call
will be directed to the nearest State Police District Headquarters.
If calling from Logan, Cass, Christian,
Morgan, Mason, Menard or counties, you will get a phone message
saying, "Hello, you have reached the Illinois State Police, District
9. If you have an emergency, please press one." The message then
goes on and gives various other options you may also chose from. It
is worth noting here that if you press the number two it will
connect you with radio dispatch. So, one and two are good numbers to
remember after you dial #77.
Illinois State Police dispatch also
confirmed that driving to a safe place before pulling over is an
approved procedure if you have reason to doubt the situation.
You can dial 9-1-1 in Logan County and
many other areas and you will be directly connected to a live voice
in dispatch. He or she will take your information and alert the
proper response authorities.
Always be
ready to provide specific details of your location while you are
traveling. Look for the green mile markers, say what road you are on
and what direction you are traveling, and observe significant
landmarks. Awareness of your surroundings will save precious time if
you are in need of help.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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