Radio Traffic
Here's something we were aware of, but not thinking it out to its logical conclusion:
- OT: Radio scanners. SCC et al: I spent 20+ years monitoring communications, incl a tour@ the NSA. Some habits die hard; these days I listen to public safety radio traffic...via an app or the web. Guess the most popular channels in the world? Yep, CPD. Aside fm 24x7 acty, it's b/c there is a lot of intel on the unsecure comms...particularly traffic stops.
With 1000+ listeners (some nights), how many are noting the name, address, DL, and SSN of your tfc stop? Argghhh. That is a much more effective deterrent to speeding than those commie fking cameras. And how many of the listeners are monitoring your whereabouts & activity? Where u r taking ur 30?....im thinking gang bangers, burglars, crazies w/a grudge. And BTW, jackie is my favorite dispatcher... I should not know her name .... and none of this should be news to you but it is a real threat.
City needs to upgrade comms and fix pdts, for your safety and that of the citizens u protect...
BE SAFE OUT THERE AND GOD BLESS
Some name checks are quite literally an identity thief's dream. No stealing mail, purse snatching, pocket picking. Just sitting at home with a pencil, paper and scanner. Some citywides or busy districts probably run a few name checks every hour with everything needed to commit all sorts of fraudulent activity.
And knowing the city and the department, we'll bet they never fix a thing. Until the taxpayers get soaked for a few civil court judgements.
And knowing the city and the department, we'll bet they never fix a thing. Until the taxpayers get soaked for a few civil court judgements.
Labels: info for the police
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
63 Comments:
An old timer told me regarding radio transmissions to 'run silent run deep like a sub in enemy waters' thats why they gave us pdts
I don't think most of the names I run know what a credit score is let alone that they have one. But overall, yes, there is a ton of free information available to a good listener.
As they said back in the dark ages, Loose lips will sink ships.
What about the idiots who put up posters in the station advertising benefits and parties? It's one thing to put these posters in the roll call room, locker room or in areas behind the desk beyond public view. But of course that's not good enough for some of theses idiots is it….I've regularly seen this type of poster on the entry doors to the station that is used to bring in the prisoners, or on the stairwells used to bring prisoners up and down. It is not necessary to put up 10 posters in one police station. A few discretely placed posters in areas not frequented by prisoners and other assholes will suffice. Why do you want to advertise locations where large numbers of off-duty P/O's and their vehicles will be found at a specific time??? Please think about personal security!!!
I am 43 years old.
I listen to my 1977 Radio Shack police scanner naked in my Mom's basement.
I am listening to Zone 12 right now and I am really turned on by FTO Bob's voice.. it is soooo sexy.
Wait.. Mom's bringing be some chicken soup.. I have to go.
I was working one night and stopped in on a park check. One of the park kids had his phone out and was listening to our zone. There was about a 30 second delay, but that was it. He said he downloaded an app. Very scary.
I know that the city is backwards in thinking and only cares about the "safety" issues that fit their criteria for importance but really...I can't think of one good reason to have these bands available publicly. I can't hear what's going on in my town unless I bring my radio home because our band is encrypted BUT I can tell you what's going on in The Jungle up north...and a few other CPD districts and burbs. Whatever happened to Operational Security?
Anyone remember the Wally and Billy show on Zone 3 radio, the Real Police? Old CC Room, 1121 S. They were a thing of beauty to listen to. They used to get invited to scanner club meetings because they were a big hit with those people. Great dispatchers. Wally was the last D2 with Police Dispatcher title code in the city when he was transferred to 019. He wouldn't leave voluntarily when they closed 1121 S. State, he made them move him and give him super seniority. That way he kept D2 until he retired.
I object strongly to the notion that we must have "secure" radio nets that the public cannot listen to; with the exception of certain conditions. I learned, and yearned, to be on this job from listening to the old 8 zone 453 Mhz system. I didn't hear compromising traffic. I heard genuine police work. I also heard in the more recent past the open key FD "Cheese Head N..." fiasco. Had that not been in the public domain, and rightly so, it would have been swept under the rug. My point is that the public, and we, need to hear the quality of our services. There is very little need for truly encrypted radio traffic. And, here's the biggest argument against encryption on public service radio; Say nothing you don't want anyone to hear, because nothing is truly encryted! We get more fans from that CPD Radio APP than we help our wrong doers. Have a little faith.
"Some citywides or busy districts probably run a few name checks every hour with everything needed to commit all sorts of fraudulent activity."
The name checks on those individuals in "citywide or busy districts" would mainly consist of the dregs of society.
And no Identity Thief in the world worth his salt is dumb enough to waste his time and skills trying to use the identifiers of these worthless bastards to establish credit or gain anything of value. The phrase "snowballs chance in Hell" ring a bell?
We appreciate your concern, but with very few exceptions and for officer safety reasons, our locations need to be known at all times. Putting locations verbally over the air means that every officer that's somewhat paying attention to the radio knows where you're at when the shit hits the fan.
Also, our GOs/SOs (operating orders) mandate informing the dispatcher of a change in our location. It's the way it's always been, long before the arrival of the PDT. All a PDT does - when we actually have a functioning unit - is help minimize the volume of less pertinent info that doesn't need to be broadcast over the radio.
The ne're-do-wells and those that would seek to do us harm have plenty of opportunity to do so - it's just another occupational hazard. Trust me when I tell you that the "crazies" have a way of finding the police, ill intent or otherwise.
P.S. - Jackie knows her shit.
Honest radio listeners( true hobbyists) cringe when they here this crap. Alot of them are old retired ham radio type listeners with no bad intent.
We don't have the equipment to run names. There are not enough computers out here. Hell, there aren't enough cars to put the computers in. What am I saying? We don't have enough coppers to put in the cars either.
World class? Not any more. Keep voting in the same criminals.
Captain Marty Rizak runs the 911 stuff. This guy thinks he pays for a radio out of his pocket. Always getting the cheapest stuff.
Just code the fucking job out.
As a former Chicagoan I sit a few states away and monitor a couple of the zones. Mostly 3 (former resident) and 6 because it is the best late afternoon radio on the air.
#1. It reminds me of the actual condition of this Country. If more libs listened we might have better Country to live in. The majority of people walk around in a fog and just don't "get it".
#2) It is great radio with some outstanding humor. Mostly subtle and dry, but some brash and spot on.
Reminds me that you can't take it all to seriously and have to see humorous side... even in crappy conditions.
So... I hope it stays public. AND remember... Viscous Puppies Are On The Loose!
NC
But then again, 98% of the time we're running dog asses who are probably thieves themselves... plus what are they going to steal? Their Link cards.
As I run the drug addicted, convicted felon's SSN over the air, along with his personal info and someone runs his credit which is about a zero. What does it matter?
Cook County and a few suburbs now have encrypted radio...the way everyone should go.
Got me. I never thought of that but every point is true.
I listen to the Citywide feed and feel real bad all the crap you guys have to go through and how short staffed you are at times. It made me appreciate you more and realize even more how bad Rahm and McCarthy are for this city. Thanks for you all you. Not a cop.
I am sure the identities of those names run on the air are not the type who have stellar credit.
Also, I never gave my exact location for my 30. Mostly because i didn't want the sergeant to know, but i guess it worked for keeping the crazies away.
You really want to know the location of armed police officer?
So the bad guys know, No big deal.
The drug spot have kids on bike seniors with cell phones and hypes on crates and they still get caught.
If i had to worry about my location i would not be in a silly blue uniform with a hybrid with flashing lights.
We have given to/from's many times concerning the unsecure communication network CPD. Thank's NSA guy, we know and hate it.
The problem is the Socialist-Democratic overloards in Chicago.
From the PDT, you can change your location and the dispatcher will know where you are. You can also get an RD number from the PDT. YOu can run names too.
Unless your PDT is not working, the name you run on the radio will have the same information as that run on your PDT. The dispatchers have the same computer information you do. Some people like to hear themselves talk and some just want everyone on the zone to know they got a warrant. The geographic limitations are also on your PDT if you look. You don't need to confirm a warrant with the dispatcher, because you still have to call the warrant or leads desk when you get into the station.
The radio is your friend during a chase or fight, as long as you give your location first.
Most of the time, the radio is not your friend.
All that radio traffic is recorded, even all the stupid comments made by some of us. Don't ruin a good case or good arrest, by making comments, observations, etc., that could later be heard by defense attorneys or the Loevy brothers.
Anonymous Failed the Police Test 8 times said...
I am 43 years old.
I listen to my 1977 Radio Shack police scanner naked in my Mom's basement.
I am listening to Zone 12 right now and I am really turned on by FTO Bob's voice.. it is soooo sexy.
Wait.. Mom's bringing be some chicken soup.. I have to go.
11/04/2013 12:22:00 AM
I realize you write in jest, but there is no shortgage of off duty po's that listen to scanner . When you go home please leave the job at work.
I luv reading your PDT screen with my comm gear and computer.
If people have enough time to listen to a scanner, download an app to their phone and remember a dispatcher who has been gone a long time, you need some other hobbies. As for ID theft, yeah, I'm sure the cops who run the morons they stop have loads to steal. 99.9% of the time, they are on parole, have a suspended license or are a gang banger. My point: the city bought the blue plate special on the new equipment and system. So good luck getting them to ever replace it. And on the old system, idiots used to have radios that they bought that could cut in on the air. So how has anything changed?
our city is last at getting everything. compared to small towns, cities or other large cities we are always the last one to get the "latest" technology/upgrades. they may buy a few of the "latest" just for a small citywide unit but that does no one any good. and the city wonders why morale is so bad. this is just one of the reasons but why would officers give a flying fuck when we get bottom of the barrel equipment.
When Jackie and Sandy were together on z4,it was a thing of Beauty....Like having angels watching over you....two of the VERY BEST at what they do.........
Anonymous said...
An old timer told me regarding radio transmissions to 'run silent run deep like a sub in enemy waters' thats why they gave us pdts
11/04/2013 12:10:00 AM
Most old timers never saw a PDT
No worries... Daley's son is selling a software program to the city to help protect us.
Does this guy know that the "apps" and web transmissions are at least 3-10 minute lag between actual stop and him hearing it?
The best is MJ on Zone 1. Ironically the worst is also on Zone 1, the dyslexic hard of hearing dame who can't wait to announce that the midnight shift is there so she can go home.
Ya got me. I confess, I listen to the CPD radio calls. And I have (off and on) since I was a little kid in the mid 1950's.
It started with my grandmother who liked hearing what was going on in Chicago; shortwave tube radio, city wide, no or few codes. Then my mom started listening in the late 60's with a multi-band portable transistor radio; 009, 007 and 003 where in the same zone, and a Chi Cop friend gave me a card with the codes for her. And then I started listening on my computer when I just stumbled on a website with the broadcasts a 'few' years ago -- that site went dark but another eventually replaced it.
Today those radio calls keep me informed as to what an utter crap-hole my old 'hood in 009 has turned into. They also helped me to finally convince my wife to get her mother the hell OUT of there, she lived in beat 0821.
Additionally, besides hearing the unreported crimes, another thing the public gets from hearing you guys and gals over the air is what complete shit equipment you are given to do your jobs; Cars that go 'Dead In the water', car batteries that up and die, computers that don't work, tires that go flat, etc, etc,. But what gets my ass fried as a citizen is that your given Radios That Don't Work! Seriously, what the fuck is that all about? Your lives depend on the dam things. (Sheesh, the fucking assholes)
Bottom line, IMHO you have more supporters who listen than nefarious characters looking to steal an ID, or do harm, and from what I hear there's not many IDs I'd want to ripoff anyway. Though one stop & name check did peak my interests when I heard it last year, the address was right across the street from where I grew up. It came back clear w/ valid DL -- but it shouldn't have, the address is for a commercial property with no residences. I chuckled and thought, 'that illegal has good connections'.
19-Paul
ps: can I have an event number?
Police communication SHOULD be encrypted!
This IS for officer safety and making The Police a hard target.
The nonsense about "the public has the right to know what the Police are up to" is just that... Nonsense.
Operational security and officer safety override the false outrage of people with their noses out of joint because they want to be able to "hear what you guys are doing."
Refusal to acknowledge that bad and evil people exist and The Police are often the first to rub up against these bad and evil people and that every tactical edge counts.
Yes... The advantage in safety and survival game should heavily favor The Police.
"WAH! That's not FAIR!"
And don't get us started about Police facility architecture here in Chicago...
Police stations should be safe, secure, hard, forbidding and "unfriendly" places.
The RMD idiocy of Police stations with wide open "inviting" lobbies and floor to ceiling plate glass that doesn't even have bullet resistant safety film is about nothing but safety compromising props giving the noisy constituency and the yellow-pinkies the overheated notion of "we can see what the Police are doing and we have them where we want them."
People are so goofy about Policemen being "accessable" that they get indignant when you don't let your window down so they can lean into the car and "share" whatever ghastly upper respiratory ailment they may or may not have when they want to bend your ear about something.
"Why won't you let YOUR window down? You're RUDE!"
Protect yourselves Officers... Always.
Work the JOB like nobody cares about you but your brothers in blue.
Big city is way behind. A few years ago, the County bought radios and they are digitized and cannot be picked up by scanners. They gave them to every department in the south burbs. Things of beauty. One thing the county did right. Crystal clear from the north side to the south burbs.
How about the fact that all our general and special orders are available on the internet for everyone to read?
Anonymous said...
I was working one night and stopped in on a park check. One of the park kids had his phone out and was listening to our zone. There was about a 30 second delay, but that was it. He said he downloaded an app. Very scary.
11/04/2013 12:35:00 AM
Read some of the comments these posters have left. They don't get it. They're not thinking about 5 years from now. They're still thinking about 20 years ago. And still underestimating the criminal element. It is arrogant to assume that in a city this large people are not using scanners/apps/computers to here dispatching and aid in their activities. The BDs were using a stolen radio signal to broadcast police response how long ago??? And we're overdoing it by suggesting that someone knows how to google police scanner and will do it? Our dispatch is not a public relations tool, no more than when we tell the media the tools we used to catch offenders and solve cases. It's just idiocy.
You worked for the NSA?! And now you are listening to what CPD does on an phone app....really you need a better hobby.
"Time check squad." Now that we have Rhodes inspectors back....
My God! Is there anything else we can complain about today?
You think Jackie is her real name? No way, you Super Duper High Wattage Radio Commander! That's just her Secret 311 Antenna Dispatch Spy Name! If you want her real name, you have to save up 41 Cracker Jack box tops and send them in to get the Ultra Secret Name Decoder Ring!
Sad there are so many Basement Commandos who listen to police radios then go on blogs and complain about something silly.
God Bless you and get a life, loser. The smarter you try to sound, the dumber it comes out.
Which zone and watch is jackie?
I really like camille on 2nd watch zone 1. or MJ on 1st watch. when shit hits the fan you want those two dispatching. Some of these new dispatchers i cringe when i hear them talk.
Yep, Jackie and MJ are also awesome, knowledgeable & caring professionals. But I shouldn't know their names.
Completely disagree with (presumably litigious NAC) at 11/04/2013 02:33:00 AM.
No disagreement about "need to know" - DSS, Squad, other POs etc should know where POs are at all times. Not the general public.
Expand current encryption to encompass all channels. Its better for operations /information security.
Be Safe & God Bless
(OT) rambling musing:
1) you can fly with your weapon as long as it is in a case with another case for the ammo must be unloaded (nothing in the chamber) declare it at ticket counter weapon flies in checked bags, but remember bag is tagged and hopefully it will not disappear at the other end.
2) I need to take my mom,wife,husband etc to the gate how do I do this? Really easy don't have your weapon on you, go to gate request a "gate pass" go through security go to gate, but anyone that is flying must need your assistance such as old age, difficulty walking, nervous etc..
3) Thanks to the wizards and spirits of the air, who devote countless hours keeping this blog up and running, they volunteer their time, as evidenced by not selling out for ad revenue, and they use their own money and resources to keep it up. SCC as Jackie Gleason said many times your the greatest! To the coppers who think they know who SCC is look around your thoughts, wisdom, jokes, reality, that reflects who SCC is! It is the ability of all of us together to vent and inform!
Same goes with a traffic accident report. Dirtbags w/o insurance, phone, permanent address, job or a 250 credit score is privy to all your or someone else's pertinent info. I usually mixed up a number or two on the identifiers anyway.
• Radios need a new private frequency ... Oh wait wasn't that an FCC mandate that OBamio had stalled the implemention of a new digital system and also the Daley/Huberman's theft and voucher manipulation scheme, that involved missing equipment and outdated console installations as well as ghost payrolling?
Secure radio isolates the agency from outside help. Example Crook County, had to give portables to small town that backs them up. No interop capability except ISPERN.Not good. Its nothing but a snow job from Motorola salesman. Like other poster said,smart phone apps have a big delay, no real time benefit to criminal.
There's obviously room for this to be used in harmful ways, but as an occasional listener to my local Zone 3, you guys don't give a whole lot of info out. Sure, name checks leak some info that should probably be transmitted in a different way, as even the shitbirds on your hood still have rights.
One positive to take away from it is that people know the real deal by just listening for a while. Like everyone else, I see GMac and Rahm spouting "crime is down" every day. While I'm out driving around or on the way to gym, I flip on the radio and listen to you guys chasing people on foot in my back yard.
Hell, knowing where gang dispersals tend to take place has helped me avoid moving into a few apartments that look nice on craigslist but are on sketchy blocks.
Failed the Police Test 8 times said...
I am 43 years old.
I listen to my 1977 Radio Shack police scanner naked in my Mom's basement.
I am listening to Zone 12 right now and I am really turned on by FTO Bob's voice.. it is soooo sexy.
Wait.. Mom's bringing be some chicken soup.. I have to go.
11/04/2013 12:22:00 AM
I disagree completely. I think Sgt. Chickenhawk's voice is so sexy. She has that sexy librarian look. Oh and she is so smart (at least she thinks she is).
Let me hear ya Cub fans.Sounds like a Cub fan.
What's more scary... Everybody buying & using the police radios that their buying online. All it takes is a few of the radios to be obtained by the bad guys. Can you say open key on every channel during a real disaster? Zero communication available!
It's called a PDT ,use it.
Off topic: Anyone know the order or procedures ie officers rights regarding the old 3 man car rotation system?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Same goes with a traffic accident report. Dirtbags w/o insurance, phone, permanent address, job or a 250 credit score is privy to all your or someone else's pertinent info. I usually mixed up a number or two on the identifiers anyway.
• Radios need a new private frequency ... Oh wait wasn't that an FCC mandate that OBamio had stalled the implemention of a new digital system and also the Daley/Huberman's theft and voucher manipulation scheme, that involved missing equipment and outdated console installations as well as ghost payrolling?
11/04/2013 11:54:00 AM
Sorry, wrong President.
The edict came under baby-Bush, as a result of 9/11, when it was learned the various jurisdictions and different departments in New York had no way to talk to each other, real time.
Federal monies were disbursed to remedy the situation. And Chicago has STILL failed to comply.
It sounds good that public access to the radios garner "support" but it aint garnered enough support to make any substantial changes to anything that affects the life of the police...the truth is it is amusing and entertaining to listen to. All this "the public gets to see" lingo has not contributed to the end of any of the things they get to see i.e. equipment failures etc.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Does this guy know that the "apps" and web transmissions are at least 3-10 minute lag between actual stop and him hearing it?
11/04/2013 09:16:00 AM
Does the lag time somehow change the personal information given over the radio? Do dob, social, home address change radically in those 'lag' moments?
Anonymous said...
Ya got me. I confess, I listen to the CPD radio calls. And I have (off and on) since I was a little kid in the mid 1950's.
It started with my grandmother who liked hearing what was going on in Chicago; shortwave tube radio, city wide, no or few codes. Then my mom started listening in the late 60's with a multi-band portable transistor radio; 009, 007 and 003 where in the same zone, and a Chi Cop friend gave me a card with the codes for her. And then I started listening on my computer when I just stumbled on a website with the broadcasts a 'few' years ago -- that site went dark but another eventually replaced it.
Today those radio calls keep me informed as to what an utter crap-hole my old 'hood in 009 has turned into. They also helped me to finally convince my wife to get her mother the hell OUT of there, she lived in beat 0821.
Additionally, besides hearing the unreported crimes, another thing the public gets from hearing you guys and gals over the air is what complete shit equipment you are given to do your jobs; Cars that go 'Dead In the water', car batteries that up and die, computers that don't work, tires that go flat, etc, etc,. But what gets my ass fried as a citizen is that your given Radios That Don't Work! Seriously, what the fuck is that all about? Your lives depend on the dam things. (Sheesh, the fucking assholes)
Bottom line, IMHO you have more supporters who listen than nefarious characters looking to steal an ID, or do harm, and from what I hear there's not many IDs I'd want to ripoff anyway. Though one stop & name check did peak my interests when I heard it last year, the address was right across the street from where I grew up. It came back clear w/ valid DL -- but it shouldn't have, the address is for a commercial property with no residences. I chuckled and thought, 'that illegal has good connections'.
19-Paul
ps: can I have an event number?
11/04/2013 09:44:00 AM
There are plenty of people who get there names and plates run who are minor traffic offenders, especially in the burbs who still have non-encrypted radios. You just explained why the radios should be encrypted from your own admission that this has been a generational hobby of yours. Yes you may have used it for "good" on occasion but in general you listened because it interested you. That is the wrong reason for it to be braodcast to you. All it takes is one nefarious character or one misuse of your own information and you probably will not care of how many more enthusiasts listen than nefarious characters. I work in the burbs and I don't think I should be able to tune in to 007 on the internet from my home just because I want to. I started listening to scanners when I got a civilian job with a pd before I was on the job to familiarize myself with radio traffic. Even then I thought it was weird that I could do that just because I wanted to.
Hi People, Missy here.
Hope all you people did good on the Sgt's test.
I am told I will be in next class after I had my interview with the Supt in August.
He said he was impressed with me and that the department need more parking guru' doing parkers that help the budget. When I get promoted, my people will be writing at least 25 parkers a day for starters.
I hope to get back to the 001 district to make sure revenue is coming from the people who park like mopes.
Last Friday a police officer got mad at me for writing his car in a tow zone. He said I should respect that he had an FOP sticker. I said, no way Jose ! Obey the rules and pay the parker. He better pay, cause I do call for booting cars.
Be safe people and stop by to see me on Wabash street , writing away.
Missy o01
Parking ticket guru.
An old timer told me regarding radio transmissions to 'run silent run deep like a sub in enemy waters' thats why they gave us pdts
That was in the past, we never have a PDT.
Encrypted radios! Hell, I can't hear the dispatcher thru the static half the time.
Anonymous said...
Off topic: Anyone know the order or procedures ie officers rights regarding the old 3 man car rotation system?
11/04/2013 05:25:00 PM
No rights. You were assigned to a car, there were two primary officers and a relief officer. Sometimes all three were in a different DOG. The relief officer worked the car when one or both of the primary officers were off. Other wise the relief guy bounced around.
Before steady watches, junior guys could be moved to another watch on change day. Back then another watch referred to the watch of a specific Captain.
I miss the watch parties.
Speaking of PDT, Great city decided to put the command button next to the emergency.... I'm sure everyone hits it 100000 times while working and driving,
Very simply....
NEVER-NEVER say anything, even anonymously on the air that you wouldn't want repeated in a court.
The same goes with PDT traffic. One of the things that stung those L.A. cops in the Rodney King resisting case was the "Gorillas in the Mist" messages PDT they sent each other before the incident.
And another thing...
For anyone, police officer or concealed carry civilian, ELIMINATE THE WORD "KILL' from your vocabulary. If involved in a shooting, first get a lawyer and say nothing until you speak to that person.
If you ever, whether minutes or months after the incident in court or a cocktail party, you did not shoot to kill your attacker.
YOU SHOT TO STOP THE ATTACK.
Stay Safe, the difference in those words can mean a lot in judging you intent in firing those shots.
If more libs listened we might have better Country to live in. The majority of people walk around in a fog and just don't "get it".
#2) It is great radio with some outstanding humor. Mostly subtle and dry, but some brash and spot on.
Reminds me that you can't take it all to seriously and have to see humorous side... even in crappy conditions.
So... I hope it stays public. AND remember... Viscous Puppies Are On The Loose!
NC
11/04/2013 06:28:00 AM
Completely disagree. Libs are inherently people who "will never get it"
You cannot count upon them as friends, countrymen or comrades
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