Allegheny County (PA) Pittsburgh City Narcotics and Surveillance Operations

The City of Pittsburgh Police Department's Narcotics division is based at their Headquarters, 1203 Western Avenue on the North Side. The majority of radio communications takes place over low power simplex (non-repeater) channels. The primary channels are as follows:

SPEC 1 (458.3375, CTCSS 186.2)
SPEC 2 (453.3375, CTCSS 186.2)
SPEC 3 (453.3625, CTCSS 186.2)
PO 12  (458.3625, CTCSS 186.2)
TAC 1  (470.5125, CTCSS 167.9)

The communications that take place over these channels are not nearly as formal as those over the primary dispatch channels. Generally speaking, the SPEC channels are used in the same geographical locations as their dispatch channel counterparts.

Dispatch channel PO 1 covers Zones 1 & 2.  SPEC 1 is used by Narcotics in Zones 1 & 2.  

Dispatch channel PO 2 covers Zones 3 & 6.  SPEC 2 is used by Narcotics in Zones 3 & 6.  

Dispatch channel PO 3 covers Zones 4 & 5.  SPEC 3 is used by Narcotics in Zones 4 & 5.  

PO 12 is used as needed. The SPEC channels and PO 12 are very low power, set at a mere 2 watts. Therefore, you will need to make some adjustments to pick up any transmissions.

A scanner capable of using CTCSS is extremely helpful. By inputting the CTCSS and setting the squelch wide open you will definitely pick up more transmissions. However you should limit the number of channels as the scan speed is slowed greatly by setting the squelch wide open.

TAC 1 is also a simplex channel. This channel is most often used in coordination with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department to coordinate the takedown of fugitives, suspects with warrants. It is also used for surveillance operations.

There is a technical issue in that the TAC 1 frequency is slightly above 470 MHZ, which is the upper limit of certain radio models. Aside from the standard unmarked Impalas, there are currently 25 or so undercover vehicles. Of those available units, not all are equipped with radios capable of being programmed with frequencies above 470 MHZ.

Given the advanced state of electronics, it is not unusual to "stick a camera on a pole" for surveillance operations. Duquesne light has done some nice setups with transformers, but those may have been in conjunction with federal law enforcement operations. However, Pittsburgh still employs good old fashioned surveillance as well.

A typical surveillance operation would entail two or three unmarked vehicles. The goal is to place each vehicle so that it has the best vantage point of the target location without the target realizing they are being watched. Assume the surveillance team assigns one unit on a side street, one in a back alley, and one out front. The difficult one would be the unit out front of the target location as targets often do countersurveillance. Where would you place the front unit? The front unit is most often parked a few houses beyond the target location. Surveillance is accomplished via the rear view mirror. Think about how much less attention is drawn by using a rear view mirror.

Additionally, the marked police unit covering the sector where the target is located would be apprised of the operation and be available as need be. For obvious reasons, the marked patrol car would adjust his sector patrol to avoid drive-bys of the target location.

Note: The City of Pittsburgh is divided into six police coverage zones. Those zones are further broken down into sectors for assigning daily patrol work.

There are other frequencies and communication devices in use, but the information in this post should get you moving in the right direction.

Return to:

City of Pittsburgh Police

Allegheny County (PA)