FBI to patrol DC streets

[RaleighGuy]

Washington Post is reporting about 120 FBI agents from the DC Field office are being assigned to work nights on the streets of DC to supplement the DC Police. Unknown if they will operate on DC Police radio frequencies or on federal radios. Keep your ears open starting tomorrow for new listening opportunities.

D.C. awaits Trump’s next move amid federal takeover threat

WASHINGTON — Around 2 a.m., noisy revelers emerging from clubs and bars packed the sidewalks of U Street in Washington, D.C., many of them seeking a late-night slice or falafel. A robust but not unusu

www.columbian.com

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/08/10/dc-crime-trump-crackdown/

 

[KevinC]

No politics. One warning.

 

[buddrousa]

The last time I was in the area I was told by the place I was at stay away from the football arena as it was not a safe area after dark.
That was years ago.

 

[PD47JD]

My understanding, based upon past experience, is that the Uniform(ed) Div. of the Secret Service always had law enforcement authority throughout D.C. . Not uncommon to see one of their vehicles making a traffic stop. Many a tourist has learned this after blowing through a traffic signal.

 

[kc2asb]

Per the RR Database, it's worth noting that the D.C. police have interop frequencies in the VHF federal band. They are P25 and in the clear. Probably worth scanning if you are within range.

Police​

District of Columbia Project 25 Phase II

Metropolitan Police Department operations

Frequency	License	Type	Tone	Alpha Tag	Description	Mode	Tag
159.150	KLG615	RM	653 NAC	DC Interop 1	DC Interop 1	P25	Interop
167.250	RM	68F NAC	DC Interop 2	DC Interop 2	P25	Interop
173.750	RM	653 NAC	DC Interop N	DC Interop North	P25	Interop
168.0875	RM	653 NAC	DC Interop S	DC Interop South	P25	Interop
166.7875	RM	653 NAC	DC Interop W	DC Interop West	P25	Interop

 

[KC3ECJ]

Another ploy to keep Scully and Mulder from being assigned the X- Files, LOL!

 

[jkahn]

Doesn't matter. MPDC & FBI are all encrypted anyway. Includes vhf and interstitials. Nothing new to hear. Only MPDC T/G in the open is Citywide 1, so unless a tow truck is making an arrest, SOL.

 

[kc8rak]

What radio freqs /system are the NG units using? Thanks

 

[ezdropper]

I know in the past NG have used the JNCR system during events in DC

I am hearing some talk on DC IO1 159.150, not sure who it is though.

 

[KK4JUG]

Doesn't matter. MPDC & FBI are all encrypted anyway.

The FBI may have to be taught how to use a radio. My experience with them has been that they use cell phones almost exclusively. Either way, they get the job done.

 

[ecps92]

The FBI may have to be taught how to use a radio. My experience with them has been that they use cell phones almost exclusively. Either way, they get the job done.

all depends on your Field Office and Resident Agency (FO and RA) - plenty of RF traffic on a regular basis in my monitoring area
Yes the phone is an adjunct as are the Zello and other app's if you have internet and LTE 4G/5g

 

[Wilrobnson]

I was utterly stymied when I moved to the current AO 5 years ago; almost no Fed LE radio activity. About once a quarter I may catch some simplex activity, but usually not. Found out they're all using our statewide system and full-time AES...FBI, ATF, DEA, HSI, IRS...all the heavy hitters are on there.

CBP can sometimes be found in simplex, but they also use the state system and rely heavily on mobile PTTOC apps or MS Teams.