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Unmarked "Police" Cars
I knew about the red light on police cars, but not the *677 (See Comments below).
It was about 1 PM 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 4 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 a gas station, etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called *677 (call 911) 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 *677 Cell Phone Feature, (see comment section below) 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 *677 (911) like Lauren did. Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give you this little bit of wonderful information.
It was about 1 PM 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 4 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 a gas station, etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called *677 (call 911) 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 *677 Cell Phone Feature, (see comment section below) 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 *677 (911) like Lauren did. Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give you this little bit of wonderful information.
posted by Greenconsciousness
at 8:47 AM - Link
13 Comments:
Sorry to tell you this, but I googled it, and this is an urban legend.
The *677 number is real, but only works in Ontario.
THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME!! Here is why I will leave it up for a while/ between 1980-1984 when I was in women against rape, there were a series of women who were raped and killed in Wisconsin on the highways.
When they finally caught the guy, he was posing as a cop with a red light on an unmarked car. This is true, I can almost remember the name of one young woman because her parents were waiting for her to get home and she never made it.
Do Not Stop for unmarked cars - they have no right to pull anyone over on the road. Get to safety and call 911 if you have a phone. Question Authority.
Yes, absolutely right. Do not stop for unmarked cars. I was just saying that this particular instance is an urban legend, but your advice is right on.
"Do not stop for unmarked cars"
Actually this is bad advise, it is the law to stop for an umarked police car. You will find yourself in a lot of hot water if you dont. And you have to respect the fact that the police have a job to do.
I would offer this advise:
If you were doing something wrong chances are you have been pulled over for a reason and its the real thing ie. for speeding.
If you dont beleive you have been doing anything wrong and you are in an isolated area then be wary.
You should pull over immediately when it is safe to do so, keep your doors locked and windows wound up until the officer has identified themselves correctly.
No I am correct
First, if you can possibly afford it go to wal mart, buy a cheap track phone and enough minutes to hold a 60 min conversation with 911.
Then if you are followed by an unmarked car put your flashers on, keep going and call 911 -- tell them where you are, and ask them what to do. This is why you should always know where you are on the road. Women are dead from trusting too much. Wise up.
DO NOT STOP until you are sure of what is behind you.
> "Do Not Stop for unmarked cars - they have no right to pull anyone over on the road"
Is that so, you obviously have no respect for the law.
So when some idiot drives along the motorway at 200miles/hr drunk out of there head and high on drugs, because the police car is unmarked they have no right to pull this person over???
Sorry but they do.
Drunk and/or speeding drivers kill a phenomenally sad amount of people every year. Unmarked police cars make it easier for police to catch them especially speeders.
Unfortunately yes there are some sickos out there that pose as police officers, but the chances are very slim.
I suggest you think about the bigger picture and also I suggest you get some legal advice from someone who actually knows and understands the law.
Anyway, here is some useful advice:
Make sure it is a marked unit with a realistic looking light bar or built-in lights (not a temporary "Kojak light"). Make sure they are the appropriate color for your jurisdiction. If it's NOT a marked unit, the take-down lights should be built-in and somewhat uniform front and back.
Try to stop in a well-lit area. Don't pull into a remote parking lot or somewhere secluded.
If possible, turn on your flashers but don't turn off your car.
DO NOT get out of the vehicle to meet the approaching officer (real cops don't like that anyway).
Lock your door.
Look for a uniform, raid jacket, body armor, radio, flashlight (at night). Watch their demeanor, do they seem more nervous than you? Are they watching you or are they distracted (perhaps looking to see if the "real" cops are going to drive by)?
Plainclothes officers rarely make traffic stops without numerous identifying pieces of clothing and equipment.
Pay attention to what they ask. They should first ask for driver's license, proof of insurance, etc. MOST will tell you the violation or reason for the stop right away.
If they immediately tell you to get out of the car without any preliminary questions (and you've not committed a felony), be suspicious. Explain to the "officer" that you are unsure about the situation and you'd like a minute to verify his/her identity. KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE THE OFFICER CAN SEE THEM, be polite as you question them, MAKE NO SUDDEN OR SUSPICIOUS MOVEMENTS. Watch their reaction to you.
Ask them where they work and would they mind if you called their dispatch (not their boss or their office) center to confirm their identity.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If they don't seem to be real cops, they probably aren’t. Keep your cell phone handy.
But remember failing to stop immediately you will have to explain your actions, possibly in court. So do not forget you have a duty to yield and stop and a responsibility to follow lawful orders or directions from a peace officer.
I repeat, women have been killed in WI, raped and killed, by men posing as police officers in unmarked cars. I will not stop for an unmarked car.
The police are never there to help you when you need them and they have a lot of nerve increasing the danger of the road for women by the use of unmarked cars. There is no legitimate reason for an unmarked car to go after a woman alone except that something is wrong with the "officer" in the unmarked car. If he, and it is always a male, sees something really wrong he can radio for a squad.
I repeat, get a cell phone - call 911 - keep driving until marked cars arrive.
It is not against the law to stop for an unmarked police car. It could save a life if it's an impersonator.
"It is exceptionally rare for police officers to be impersonated. However, if you genuinely feel concerned or in doubt as to the authenticity of a police vehicle signalling for you to stop, drive slowly to the nearest lit built up area with members of the public nearby or go to the nearest police station."
http://www.sussex.police.uk/infocentre/content.asp?uid=475
If it is really against the law then you should post where you found it so that your fact are legitimate.
Thanks Kait
I know you meant to say;It is not against the law NOT to stop for an unmarked police car.
We are so trained not to use double negatives that we don't do it even when we want to...............be careful out there- i am going to go get a link
Behind the Blue Wall
http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/
News from the war on women................
The problem is that there is no reason for unmarked cars to be doing traffic stops to begin with.
Why are unmarked cars patroling the interstates writing tickets?
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They use unmarked cars because they do not have as a priority protecting citizens. Their priority is making money and winning promotions for doing so. Never stop for an unmarked car. If you have a cell phone, call 911 and ask for a marked squad to intervene. If you do not have a cell phone keep driving until you get to a people crowded area.
Wow this was an interesting article..thanks for posting it.
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