Need Napa County Update

[Duster]

Hello all,

I've noticed new activity recently on Napa Law Red. There is an agency identified by "7", and I don't know who it is. Can someone who lives in that area monitor and see if they can finish filling out our list of Unit Identifiers that are on the Napa Collaboration page? It's a little sparse.

Also, could someone list a few of the common 10-codes they use (10-37 comes to mind)? Since I don't live there, but commute there often, I don't have the time or resources to research it myself. Thanks in advance.

David

 

[inigo88]

Hey duster,

I noticed you wrote the Napa Co Wiki, so you're probably already aware of this... but I have a guess on the "7" unit ID. Notice how Napa PD "2" is actually (3)2 (with the 3 dropped from normal comms), and Sheriff "5" is actually (2)5?

Paging through an old copy of Kelty's GRS Golden Gate Region, it looks like the city of Napa Public Works Dept IDs as 37 - with a primary frequency of 153.98 PL 131.8 (repeater). Now, if this department follows the same logic as the previous two listed above, we drop the 3 in (3)7 and get "7."

It depends on the context of the communication you heard and the type of radio traffic (clear text vs. LE 10-code), but public works departments usually have PD dispatch programmed in their radios and vice versa, so it probably isn't unheard of to see them transmit directly to PD dispatch - although it's much more common for them to stay on their own channels and have the dispatcher(s) relay messages.

I figured it was worth a shot.

Inigo

 

[RobVallejo]

I haven't listened to Napa in a little while, but I think their 10 codes are mostly in line with Vallejo's codes. A 10-37 would be suspicious circumstances. In Vallejo, there is also 10-37A for suspicious vehicle and 10-37 subjects.

Given the context of when you heard 10-37, does that make sense?

 

[Duster]

Thanks for the ideas, guys...

The "7" units are almost certainly law enforcement, based upon the context of the transmissions. I don't know the area well enough to know what part of the county (or what city) it is when they give an address. I was wondering if Napa has started dispatching for one of the smaller cities, and the "7" units belong to them? Just a guess...

The context of the 10-37 is almost like it was a query to the unit... What caught my attention was last Monday when I was down there, Napa asked 3 or 4 units in a row... "10-37?" I was with my kids, so I never did hear what the units responded, but I don't think any of them actually did over the radio...that's what made me wonder if they were being told to check their MDC's or something. Up here in Placer County, dispatch will tell the unit to "Code 1-Mary", meaning check your MDC for a message. And that's about as much as I've been able to decipher...

David

 

[inigo88]

Three scenarios I can think of where LE dispatch roll calls units:

The first is a general check of status type call. I get the impression that almost all departments do this via MDT now, but there isn't always MDT coverage - Contra Costa County Sheriff does it I believe at least once every shift (although I only ever hear it in the middle of the night on 155.31 Mhz) where the dispatcher queries each unit one by one and they respond with their status (almost always "Code 4" - No assistance required).

The second I've heard only on Berkeley PD, and I've concluded it's an old tradition practiced by the department: Right before their shift change, the Berkeley PD dispatcher announces "Units standby for 10-19 for 10-10 Rings," then proceeds to read off each unit going off duty and they respond "Ring" or "I'll take a ring." I've heard that those who don't respond are on a call and will once they go 10-98. 10-19 means returning to the station and 10-10 means going off duty - so it basically translates to "Ring if you want to return to the station and go off duty." Whether it means ring like "call" or not I don't know. On the Bayscan group, someone suggested the procedure was so rooted in tradition that it might be some kind of figurative symbolism for "Hanging the jailer's keys up for the evening" - but your guess is as good as mine. (Any Berkeley old timers here that could set the record straight? )

Finally, all my local PDs keep running lists of "Code 7" meal break requests, although officers always query dispatch and ask to be "added to the list," and when it's their turn the dispatcher advises "Clear for Code 7."

I'm not sure if any of these are the true reason for the Napa dispatcher to query the units without more context, but it's a start as these are the most common reasons I hear.

As far as the 7 unit ID, in the GRS book I have it says Calistoga PD is (2)9, Napa PD is (3)2, St Helena PD is (2)8, and American Canyon and Yountville are dispatched by Sheriff (2)5. Maybe you've stumbled on a department Kelty didn't know about - like a seldom active Community College PD or something?

Regards,

Inigo

 

[Duster]

As far as the 7 unit ID, in the GRS book I have it says Calistoga PD is (2)9, Napa PD is (3)2, St Helena PD is (2)8, and American Canyon and Yountville are dispatched by Sheriff (2)5. Maybe you've stumbled on a department Kelty didn't know about - like a seldom active Community College PD or something?

Regards,

Inigo

I've been monitoring Napa for almost a year (my kids live down there and I drive down regularly), and the "7" units have just started being heard in the last month or two...it went from never hearing them to hearing them the whole time I'm there. Napa State Hosp has their own frequencies and dispatch, so I'm pretty sure it isn't them. I have a law enforcement and a communications background, and I haven't been able to decipher it. I'll try to listen for addresses/locations, write them down, and Google them or something, see if I can figure out what areas they are working. Thanks for the ideas, guys!!

 

[Duster]

American Canyon and Yountville are dispatched by Sheriff (2)5.

Is it possible that American Canyon or Yountville have their own radio identifiers, especially if they are contract agencies?

 

[RobVallejo]

Just a thought--could the "7" units be the Napa Valley Railroad (Winetrain) Police? I also thought they might be the Napa Valley College public safety department, as inigo suggested. NVC has POST-certified law enforcement now, carrying "real guns and everything." Scary, if you've ever met any of their officers.

 

[Duster]

Is it possible that American Canyon or Yountville have their own radio identifiers, especially if they are contract agencies?

Ok, I was down there today picking up the boys. I was in the area for about one hour, and heard the following traffic:

7Mary10- "at Veterans Park"
7G10-
7Ida1-
7D1- Requesting Case #
7Union1-
7D10- "Coming from Perry's"

Also heard what sounded like "9Edward2" (MIGHT have been 5E2...traffic was scratchy)

This "7" agency was even busier (at this time) than Napa SO and PD were. Is it possible that American Canyon has started using their own identifiers?

 

[inigo88]

Looking on Google Maps, it looks like there's a Veteran's Memorial Park in downtown Napa:

Google Maps

Based on the activity, maybe you've found a reconfiguration of the unit IDs for Napa PD?

Inigo

 

[inigo88]

Hearing 7E1, 7G1, 7G13, traffic stop on Newell Cir. in Napa, and 10-19 meeting a citizen "At the PD." Sounds like new Napa Police unit identifiers to me. I'll keep checking.

Inigo

Update: 7G1 traffic stop north parking lot of Walmart, 7G13 to cover. There's a Walmart at 681 Lincoln Ave in Napa (although there's also one in American Canyon).

 

[inigo88]

FYI, I just heard your 10-37 reference:

Dispatch: "7 George 13, 10-37."
7G13: "George 13."
Dispatch: "5 George 10, 10-37."
7G13: "5 George 10."

She said it more as a statement than an inquiry. I'm noticing Napa is using a lot of 10-codes in the 10-30 range that aren't used by any adjacent bay area LE agencies. Additionally, "Traffic Stop" becomes "10-95", "Clear and current" becomes "10-31A - Adam," etc. To update: I believe 10-31A is actually "Clear wants/warrants check" in regards to a person (as well as vehicle), because of the context heard in "Subject 10-31A, no match on the DL."

I believe in addition to changing their Dispatch channel to the old "RED" frequency 151.07 MHz PL 131.8, Napa County Law Enforcement agencies have completely overhauled their unit ID configuration.

Not too long ago I recall hearing Napa PD identifying with unit IDs like "2 Yellow 2" - which corresponds with both the Kelty book I have and your Wiki entry saying Y= Graveyard Shift, X=Day Shift, Z=Mid Shift.

In addition to changing Napa PD to "7", they have changed Napa PD to use the Sheriff phonetic alphabet designators for shift (David = Day Shift, Edward = Swing Shift, George = Graveyard Shift). I've also heard an "Adam" unit "7A1", but too briefly to ID use (here Adam=Admin and is assigned to Chief of Police, Lieutenants, etc, but may be different for Napa). The Adam unit is working regular patrol duty and isn't likely the same use, but could be a Napa PD Sergent / watch commander. "5" is still Sheriff, and "5A4" took a call east of Highway 29 between Napa and Yountville so that could give us a rough idea of where beat 4 is.

Unit IDs recently heard:

5G1, 5G4 (Napa - Yountville), 5G9 (American Canyon?), 5G10 (Also at 5G4's address) = [Sheriff]

7A1, 7E1, 7G1, 7G10, 7G12, 7G13 = [Napa PD]

Good catch on this, sounds like Napa PD made a major change and I'll have to listen in more.

 

[inigo88]

Well hold the phone on the old Napa PD unit IDs being totally gone, I just heard "2z2", "2Y12" and "2Y1" (although almost all traffic has been "7" units - all addresses within Napa city limits indicating they're Napa PD). So this issue needs further observation...

 

[45-70-405]

The units with the prefix of "7" are American Canyon Police. Prefix of "9" is Yountville "Sheriff". Both are contracts with the Napa Sheriff's Office.
10-37 is a time check. In other words, to make sure an officer is on patrol and everything is OK since he has not called in recently. The CAD system reminds the dispatcher. Also called a "time check".
Railroad police only has one officer, NVR32, and that call is used on the Sheriff/Police channel.

All regular law traffic is not on Sheriff RED channel, for all agencies except St. Helena and Calistoga. They each have their own channels. Traffic will remain on RED until further upgrades are made to the system.

By the way, St. Helena PD is now on 155.565 narrowband analog, PL still 127.3. Repeater located with their public works repeater at the Meadowood water tanks.

45-70-405....

 

[gmclam]

All regular law traffic is not on Sheriff RED channel, for all agencies except St. Helena and Calistoga. They each have their own channels. Traffic will remain on RED until further upgrades are made to the system.

I think you meant "All regular law traffic is now on Sheriff RED channel, ..."

 

[inigo88]

Indeed I believe he meant that (151.07). Thank you very much for clarifying all that!!! I must have caught American Canyon PD while Napa PD was doing a shift change since it seemed like they were the only ones on the RED channel the last time I listened.

Regarding 10-37 as a time check, that is a very interesting way of checking status. In Marin more clear text is used, so it goes something along the lines of "3L3 status check?", "3L3 Code 4." I was expecting something like that instead of a 10-code equivalent, but Napa's way makes perfect sense now.

Thanks again!

Inigo

 

[cousinkix1953]

You can always listen to corresponding fire calls on another scanner. Dispatchers will usually say which police or sheriff's dept. is on the way to that same location. Then make a note of the unit's number for reference...

 

[inigo88]

That's a tricky and helpful technique! I've used it before when identifying which taxi cab company is which on local LTR commercial trunking systems as well. When hearing the local PD call a cab for drunk subjects or drivers with disabled vehicles, dispatch would identify the cab company responding by name. Pop on the second scanner on the LTR system and listen for the corresponding address!

I didn't think about applying it in this case though, so thank you!

Inigo