As noted previously, the FCC has stepped up its enforcement of illegal “pirate” radio operations. While many of the illegal operations are in New York City, there are a number of illegal operations in other parts of New York. Recently, the FCC issued a Notice of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting to a property owner in Poughkeepsie. Under the Pirate Act, landowners may be liable for allowing illegal pirate stations to operate on their property. The FCC’s enforcement Bureau recently sent a notice to a property owner in Poughkeepsie.
“The New York Office of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau is investigating a complaint about an unlicensed FM broadcast station operating on frequency 87.9 MHz. On September 26, 2023, agents from the New York Office confirmed by direction finding techniques that radio signals on the frequency 87.9 MHz were emanating from the property at {[ ]} Albert Road, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603 (Property). Publicly available records identify Keiwan F. Morrison and Shadae S. Bailey as the owners of the Property. The FCC’s records show no license issued for operation of a radio broadcast station on 87.9 MHz at this location.”
We applaud the FCC’s approach to rounding up illegal pirate stations. In general, pirate stations may pose a risk of interference with airport communications and the Emergency Alert Service.
You can see the Enforcement Bureaus Notice of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting here.