Fine Proposed for Fake Calls on Police Radio
The FCC proposed a $404,166 fine against a New York man, Jay Peralta, for apparently operating without authorization from the agency a radio on frequencies licensed to the New York City Police Department, and “maliciously interfering with NYPD officers’ communications,…
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and transmitting false distress calls.” Commissioners approved the proposed fine. Peralta admitted to making “10-13” and “10-85” calls on the NYPD radio system, both denoting that an officer needs assistance, said an NAL. “Through his actions, as he described them to the NYPD, Mr. Peralta has demonstrated not only a deliberate disregard of the Commission’s authority and rules, but of the safety of NYPD officers and the public that they are called to serve and protect,” the FCC said. “Commission action in this context is therefore essential to safeguard authorized operations on spectrum licensed for public safety uses, and, accordingly, a substantial penalty appears warranted.” With the order, "the FCC makes it abundantly clear that it will not tolerate unauthorized and illegal use of the radio spectrum,” Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement. "This may not be a typical pirate radio case in which an unauthorized operator inflicts damage on a radio broadcaster that is operating with a valid FCC license, but it does involve unauthorized interference to critical public safety communications systems.” Peralta couldn't be reached for comment.