OHP Activity on NW 10th St in OKC

Gilligan · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 12:32 AM

The last few weeks, I've started seeing Highway Patrol units making traffic stops on NW 10th Street between MacArthur and I-44. Most seem to be fairly quick stops. Tonight, I passed one, came back to see him set up again, then watched someone else get pulled over, and a third already had another guy in cuffs from his stop. All within 2 miles of each other, and all Highway Patrol. I drove down to Reno & MacArthur and saw several OCPD cruisers at EnCue, so they are not working together on this. I was wondering if anyone knows what is going on that they are making these stops on NW 10th and not patrolling the highway. Yes, I know that they probably can go anywhere in their jurisdiction, I am just curious as to what they are doing. Thanks.

n5usr · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 06:57 AM

Yesterday morning I noticed the same thing in reverse - an OCPD unit set up on the side of I-40 around Penn and radar gun in hand. Not that I was surprised to see that he was OCPD, just that they usually seem so busy they don't have time for that sort of thing!

Perhaps they all got bored and decided to switch places for a while...!

Gilligan · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 07:58 AM

I've seen OCPD shooting radar on I-240 around Western in the past few years. It just seems unusual for Highway Patrol to be working in groups so far off the highway. I wonder if they are doing some kind of operation against drunk drivers or something. There are a lot of bars in that area. If I would have had my scanner with me, I'd have scanned the car-to-car channels. I'd bet they are working on simplex channels. In other news, I heard an OHP air unit calling out speeders on Turner Ch 2 the other morning. Most of the time, they use 800 Direct -- first time I've heard them on the DPS doing this.

d_stew · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 02:34 PM

For the radio side of the thread, OHP air units use a variety of frequencies, including the trunked system, and it's usually decided on the fly. The aircraft will get on scene and someone will suggest they use low band, or "side 2", or direct. It can be any of the above.

For a little more on jurisdiction, there are specific stretches of interstate in the metro that OCPD has jurisdiction. For example, if an accident happens on I-44 at SE 59th, OCPD will work it. As far as writing tickets, it's first come, first served.

Also, OCPD has a unit designated specifically to traffic. Most of the time, you'll find these officers on motorcycles (in good weather), or in cars with no light bar, and all they do is run radar/lidar. This unit has their own talkgroup on the Provoice system and you'll not hear them, unless you have a Provoice radio.

foster_006 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_stew

Also, OCPD has a unit designated specifically to traffic. Most of the time, you'll find these officers on motorcycles (in good weather), or in cars with no light bar, and all they do is run radar/lidar. This unit has their own talkgroup on the Provoice system and you'll not hear them, unless you have a Provoice radio.

They do? Since when? And why haven't you submitted it to the DB?

d_stew · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foster_006

They do? Since when? And why haven't you submitted it to the DB?

They do. Since they switched to the new system. And, because I haven't narrowed down with certainty which talkgroup it is.

P.S. They are mostly on CIU, formerly "800", checking records, but I'm told they also have their own "traffic" talkgroup, which they may not use very often.

oSutrooper · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2009, 11:22 PM

OCPD jurisdiction on I-44 is from i-240 southbound to the river bridge. (59th is still OHP), Lake Hefner Parkway from 50th Northbound and Broadway Ext from just north of Memorial to 36th street. OCPD officer can write tickets anywhere they want but will not work any accident unless it is in those areas. As for the traffic units (RAAID) they normally will go on traffic on the MDC and not over the air. There is no secret traffic channel. Must of the guys (and few gals) that work the RAAID Program do everything over the MDC so not to bother the dispatcher with going out on traffic every time.

d_stew · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oSutrooper

OCPD jurisdiction on I-44 is from i-240 southbound to the river bridge. (59th is still OHP), Lake Hefner Parkway from 50th Northbound and Broadway Ext from just north of Memorial to 36th street. OCPD officer can write tickets anywhere they want but will not work any accident unless it is in those areas. As for the traffic units (RAAID) they normally will go on traffic on the MDC and not over the air. There is no secret traffic channel. Must of the guys (and few gals) that work the RAAID Program do everything over the MDC so not to bother the dispatcher with going out on traffic every time.

You got it exactly right. The only thing I'll add is the traffic units ("T", "tom", or "Signal 30" units, all the same thing). Those are the units I was referencing in my earlier post, who work fatalities or city equipment-involved accidents, or run radar/lidar. The RAAID units ("z", "zebra" units), who only focus on aggressive drivers and use unmarked cars, haven't had much action lately...come to think of it, neither have the "compstat" units.

foster_006 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_stew

You got it exactly right.

But I thought you said they have their own talkgroup? They use the tg for whatever division they are in... and also "Records 1"... they do not have a traffic tg.

And I have recently heard Tom units, as well as ComStat units.. although I cannot recall which division I most recently heard them.

oSutrooper · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 06:44 PM

Haven't heard much from comstat units in a while come to think of it... Most of the time (or at least on the southside) they ride comstat on the last day of there set on. Most of the ones that did it now have recruit officers so they haven't done that in a while.

And don't forget that T units are also the motor jocks. They never go out on traffic on the radio unless there is a problem or they need a case number

foster_006 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oSutrooper

And don't forget that T units are also the motor jocks. They never go out on traffic on the radio unless there is a problem or they need a case number

I can't say this with 100% certainty.. but when I hear a Tom unit.. it is to request a case number, ask for traffic control, request assistance for a number of things, and also sometimes let dispatch know they are en route to an incident/scene.. and sometimes backup other officers when there is no other units 10-8.

d_stew, I'll help you narrow down your search if you get some time. Although it may not be used very often, it's still helpful to at least know about! I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary.. as far as unidentified talkgroups.

Sparky_one · #12 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 11:54 AM

With county, OHP, OKC, and inter-department stealth units operating, its hard to figure out which ones are operating at any given time. I had a talk with Lt. Robert Tompkins at Sante Fe division about it. Some were operating very dangerously at NE 122nd and I-35. I had enough of it when I came close to taking out one of the stealth units who busted an intersection with no lights or siren. It took me a half a day to figure out who it was but I got their tag # and eventually traced ownership back to OCPD. At first, nobody at OCPD would take ownership of the vehicle. A tag agent helped me sort out that issue. Then once I was able to establish ownership, then the excuses started to roll from all levels. I stayed with it and finally got to Mr. Tompkins. He acted like he appreciated the call because he said he can use it to show the stealth units have little or no side markers. Oh well, I just want them to watch it out there. The guy they were after could not go very far as he pulled into the OTA park-n-ride lot.

d_stew · #13 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foster_006

But I thought you said they have their own talkgroup? They use the tg for whatever division they are in... and also "Records 1"... they do not have a traffic tg.

And I have recently heard Tom units, as well as ComStat units.. although I cannot recall which division I most recently heard them.

If the Tom unit is working traffic/speed enforcement, they are likely using a TAC talkgroup to talk amoungst themselves. They will get on a dispatch talkgroup to answer a request from dispatch or if they get into a pursuit. Otherwise, they are solely focused on writing tickets and checking with CIU for wants/warrants.

It's the RAIID units and COMPSTAT units that have not had much activity recently.

d_stew · #14 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky_one

With county, OHP, OKC, and inter-department stealth units operating, its hard to figure out which ones are operating at any given time. I had a talk with Lt. Robert Tompkins at Sante Fe division about it. Some were operating very dangerously at NE 122nd and I-35. I had enough of it when I came close to taking out one of the stealth units who busted an intersection with no lights or siren. It took me a half a day to figure out who it was but I got their tag # and eventually traced ownership back to OCPD. At first, nobody at OCPD would take ownership of the vehicle. A tag agent helped me sort out that issue. Then once I was able to establish ownership, then the excuses started to roll from all levels. I stayed with it and finally got to Mr. Tompkins. He acted like he appreciated the call because he said he can use it to show the stealth units have little or no side markers. Oh well, I just want them to watch it out there. The guy they were after could not go very far as he pulled into the OTA park-n-ride lot.

You most likely came across a C.O.M.I.T. unit. There are both OKC and OCSO units on this D.A. task force for drug interdiction.

Gilligan · #15 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_stew

You most likely came across a C.O.M.I.T. unit. There are both OKC and OCSO units on this D.A. task force for drug interdiction.

Are they still using Leon's LTR and OCHA's LTR or have they moved? And is there any reason why they prefer one over the other? I haven't heard them in quite a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by K5MAR

Is there any particular time of day they usually work. I'm sure their hours vary, but does there seem to be a time period that's more likely?

This question was asked years ago but never answered. Does anyone know the answer?

d_stew · #16 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilligan

Are they still using Leon's LTR and OCHA's LTR or have they moved? And is there any reason why they prefer one over the other? I haven't heard them in quite a while.This question was asked years ago but never answered. Does anyone know the answer?

I don't get a chance to listen to the LTR systems on a daily basis, but I do listen at least twice a week. I haven't heard COMIT on there for months. I don't have any information about where they might have migrated to, but I think they have probably stopped using OCHA's system.

When I did listen to them, their schedule seemed to be completely random, and I think it was that way by design.