Heard a Crime Go Down on FRS 3

[ThomasMcKean]

One fella was the lookout, hiding behind bushes by an oak tree, the other guy was casing a house, looking in the windows to see if anyone was home and trying to find an easy way in.

I couldn't believe I was hearing this? On FRS? Not even a tone or a voice scramble? These guys were NUTS!

Well of course I did my duty as a concerned citizen. Since they were obviously in my neighborhood I wanted them caught, but after I called 911 the guy asked me where they were and I realized I wasn't able to tell him. The guys on the radio didn't have to talk about where they were because they already knew!

So I explained to the dispatcher that I was hearing the crime on FRS channel 3. His response: "Sir? What is FRS channel 3?"

Never have I been so embarrassed for 911.

The cops called me back about 45 minutes later to tell me they never caught anyone. Not surprising.

True story. Yep.

 

[MeddleMan]

Next time..

...report suspicious activity in your 'hood, and have an officer come to your address. Then do your explination from there, adding to your brief illustration to your explanation about FRS, that it is only one half watt power on Channel three. So the preps must be very nearby.

 

[WX1JAD]

Very interesting post

I've often wondered about a situation such as yours. With all the monitoring that we do on all different bands, etc., hearing a distress call for help on any frequency is of no question as to what to do. But to 'overhear' what appears to be a conversation of non-distress on FRS (or whatever freq), but possibly? a crime ... no location, no ID, etc. ... now what? Not hearing exactly what you heard (tone of voice, urgency, etc.), I'm only voicing a distant opinion, but you've triggered some questions. In example, what if I happened to have intercepted a communication between someone planning a surprise party? ... "I'm looking in the windows, no one's home, you hide in the bushes, I'll find a way in." Or a teenage paintball game, "Here he comes, you take the first shot." So, after monitoring this example, I've called 911, and the SWAT team is coming, only to find that what I heard is a communication that wasn't directed towards me, and I misinterpreted it. Or, on the other hand ... I heard it and did nothing about it, only to find out later my neighbor was shot and I had monitored the whole thing 'going down.' You have a very interesting post. Any input from others?

 

[StephenVa]

I'd probably call also if I heard what he described... Better safe than sorry.

 

[zz0468]

Just because dispatchers use a radio does not mean they're familiar with all radio systems and services. They frequently know little more than what button to press to talk to their own units.

 

[ThomasMcKean]

Just because dispatchers use a radio does not mean they're familiar with all radio systems and services. They frequently know little more than what button to press to talk to their own units.

That was certainly true in this case.

 

[hhrj]

You could have asked for an extra patrol of your area and ask that the dispatch give your phone number to the officer and have him call when in the area. That way if the perps see the cop they will call each other and you can alert the cop that he is in the right place.

Maybe next time....

 

[gewecke]

Interesting indeed. Years ago I noted and reported a child being abused over a 49mhz. baby monitor. Luckily, police did check the well being of a 3 yr old, parents were arrested.
This just goes to show, that you have to be prepared for the things you might hear on any frequency!

73,
n9zas

 

[kma371]

Could the radio you were listening to them on, transmit? I would have just started talking to them saying the cops were on their way.

Probably would have freaked them out enough where they would take off.

 

[GTR8000]

I'm surprised he didn't key up and tell them to have a nice night. I guess that's reserved for trips to WalMart.

Seriously though, there is no reason for anyone in public safety to know what the heck "FRS Channel 3" refers to. Let's be realistic here, they need only be familiar with their own equipment to do their job, they don't need to be superbuff hams or Betty Bearcats.

 

[KB7MIB]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux i686; U; en-US) Gecko/20081217 Vision-Browser/8.1 301x200 LG VN530)

Maybe an investment in recording capability would be in order, so as to record any future conversations for use by the police and prosecutors?

 

[scannerfreak]

I'm surprised he didn't key up and tell them to have a nice night. I guess that's reserved for trips to WalMart.

I almost spit my coke all over the place, literally :lol:

 

[kma371]

Yeah "FRS 3" is not a common thing for people to know. I wouldn't expect anyone but us scanner nerds to know what that meant.

 

[GTR8000]

I almost spit my coke all over the place, literally :lol:

Sorry about that! :twisted:

Yeah "FRS 3" is not a common thing for people to know. I wouldn't expect anyone but us scanner nerds to know what that meant.

I'll be honest, I've been a radio geek my entire life, and up until a few years ago if you would've mentioned "FRS" or "MURS" to me, I wouldn't have had a clue what you were talking about. GMRS, yes, but only because my friend had a license and never stopped talking about it.

 

[n5ims]

Sometimes a less "accurate" description may be better (well, more easier to understand) than a more "accurate" and detailed one.

Which of these do you understand quicker and more easily?

1. "The alleged perpetrator is displaying puce Diesel Vikers with a gainsboro Prada."

2. "The suspect is wearing purple jeans and a grey shirt."

If instead of indicating you heard them on "FRS channel 3" you simply said you heard them on "My CB" or "My scanner" they probably would have understood you better and perhaps dispatched the call with a higher priority.

 

[MeddleMan]

More "Two Cents"

Okay. Now that all that is out of the way, let's make sure that we understand that these perps sound adult, and not like a child. I'd still report the activity and wait for the officer at my address. I would have utilized all of my monitoring station to best hear the necessities to pass along to the local sherriff deputy. Prank or not, I still feel very comfortable to aid in the protection of Life and Property in my neighborhood. The landlord likes it.

 

[zz0468]

That was certainly true in this case.

That's the rule, not the exception. Dispatchers are generally more interested in the police work aspect of their jobs. The radio is just a tool, and frequently an annoying tool at that.

 

[pathalogical]

To me, the best way to describe FRS is "those new style walkie talkies that they sell in the electronics section of every store". Everyone goes to the electronics isle and sees these things with big lettering, 50 kms range, free airtime, no monthly fees. As mentioned, a recording would have been helpful, never know what the officers could have zeroed in on.

 

[Confuzzled]

If you start talking to most dispatchers about Ham, they're going to ask for Swiss and Rye.

 

[NESN]

It might not be possible legally but I would have asked for the Officer to respond to my residence and asked if I could ride with him with a portable scanner to act as a "homing beacon" till the signal became loud & clear. Of course either staying in the car or getting dropped off some distance away before police action was taken.