FCC Fines Individual for Dangerous Interference with and False Alarms on NYPD Radio System

The Federal Communications Commission has imposed a fine proposed last spring against a New York City resident for operating a radio transmitter on frequencies that the Commission has licensed to the New York Police Department (NYPD), causing interference with the NYPD’s radio system.  The individual, Jay Peralta, has been fined $404,166 for this egregious conduct.

From April through August 2016, Mr. Peralta transmitted threatening messages directed at NYPD officers.  These messages included false bomb threats and false officer-in-distress calls to NYPD dispatchers.  The NYPD provided the FCC with a written statement by Mr. Peralta, who is currently in custody pending a trial for related charges, in which he acknowledged making nine unauthorized transmissions on the NYPD’s radio system.

The Commission announced its intention to fine Mr. Peralta in April.  As with any such action, Mr. Peralta was provided notice of the Commission’s proposed fine and provided a chance to respond.  Given Mr. Peralta’s lack of any response to this notice, the Commission has today adopted a fine in the same amount as the earlier proposal.  The Commission expects prompt payment of a fine.  If such a payment is not received within 30 days, the matter is referred to the Justice Department for collection.

The FCC is tasked with overseeing use of the nation’s radio frequency spectrum and issues licenses under which entities such as broadcasters, public safety agencies, and wireless phone and data networks operate. 

The fine, formally called a Forfeiture Order, is available at: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-130A1.pdf