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You Must Know about *77 on Your Cell Phone

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Olde Tyme BRE # 01405647

I received this from A local Girl Scout Leader

YOU MUST KNOW *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 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 state trooper info. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about *77.

Debbie Creech
ERA Team IV Homes - Poughkeepsie, NY

I had actually heard about this before, but I had forgotten about it.  There are so many little tricks you can do with your cell phone it is hard to remember them all.  Maybe I should post myself a little note in my car.

Thanks for the reminder.

Feb 28, 2007 06:49 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
I've heard of this, and I've also heard that it doesn't work everywhere.  There is a code for every area, but it isn't always *77.  Might want to check with your local police department to make sure.
Feb 28, 2007 06:57 AM
Doug Beaver
Century 21 Olde Tyme - Corona, CA
Corona Norco Eastvale Riverside Homes

Debbie, My daughter sent me an email yesterday with a bunch of cell phone tricks. Way to many to remember

Jim & Maria Hart I suspected this could be a local phenaumena, I agree people should call there loval cell company and verify this.

Feb 28, 2007 10:41 AM
Sonja Babic
Sonja Babic/PRIME Realty NC, LLC - New Bern, NC
New Bern NC, PRIME Realty NC, LLC
This news to me, thank you very much!  We are getting in all kind of situations in our business and we sure need all the help we can get. Thanks again!  

 

Feb 28, 2007 12:20 PM
Doug Beaver
Century 21 Olde Tyme - Corona, CA
Corona Norco Eastvale Riverside Homes
Nancy, I've seen on the net where it is different for other parts of the country. Thanks for dropping by.
Oct 05, 2007 09:30 AM
Anonymous
Josh

Hello,  The incident regarding a woman being followed by an unmarked police car with flashing lights is a hoax. You can search it on Google and find a variety of pages that identify it as a hoax. The issue with #77 (or *77) is not as clear. It is an option in some parts of the country, but not everywhere.

Here are some web sites to check out regarding this hoax:

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/fakecop.asp

http://tafkac.org/ulz/phone77.html

http://www.thecellfreak.com/77-cell-phone-feature-is-it-a-hoax/ 

Dec 06, 2007 06:58 AM
#7
Doug Beaver
Century 21 Olde Tyme - Corona, CA
Corona Norco Eastvale Riverside Homes

Josh, Thanks for the post. Since I posted this earlier this year I have heard and seen other Internet Myths busted as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Dec 07, 2007 05:10 AM