PETER T. KING 
Member of Congress 
Second District, New York 
339 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3202 
(202) 225-7896 
1003 PARK BouLEVARD 
MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY 11762 
(516) 541-4225 
For Suffolk County: 
(631) 541-4225 
pete kjnq@rrWl..b.m!..ae.Q..Q.¥ 
www.peteking.house.gov 
Twitter: CrllRepPeteKing 
Received & Inspected 
j.\(1\ 1 "1 LI.J14 
FCC Mail Room 
Qion:grcss of tlfc ~ ~tm:cs 
~se of ~senhttiftes 
~It~, ~(!120515-3202 
The Honorable Thomas Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, S.W. 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY 
CHAIRMAN, COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE 
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND 
COMMUNICATIONS 
PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE 
ON INTELLIGENCE 
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CAPITAL MARKETS 
SuBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & INVESTIGATIONS 
I am writing to you with respect to the growing problem of illegal radio stations in the 
AM/FM bands in New York City and Long Island. As you know, these "pirate" radio stations 
operate without any authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 
As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I have been committed to ensuring 
that our nation has a functional Emergency Alert System (EAS) to ensure that emergency 
information is effectively and efficiently shared with the public. I have been told that pirate 
radio stations do not pll1'!icipate in the EAS system and therefore the listeners will not receive 
important emergency messages. Additionally, according to.information I have received, these 
unauthorized radio stations may interfere with EAS messages and news reports that are broadcast 
by licensed radio stations during emergencies. 
The ability to access emergency information from radio stations is critical. FEMA 
Administrator Craig Fugate has advised consumers to listen to local radio stations during 
emergencies. During Superstorm Sandy New York's radio stations remained on the air. It was 
reported that radio listening increased by 70% in Manhattan (1.15 million people) and more than 
245% (357,000) on Long Island. The potential for interfering with emergency messages from 
licensed radio S~tlOJ;l;S i~ a serious matter that must be investigated: 
' . . ' . ; ' . 
. Tracking down and prosecuting illegal pirate radio stations is an enormous task. The 
FCC's New York Office has tried its best to address this issue. I understand the office ·issued 
! . ' • 
approximately 64 notices of unlicens~d ()peratipns throughout New York· last year· but, these 
n()tices are often ignored by pirate operators .. ·Due to insufficient staffing, the· New York field· 
ofJ;ice does, not have the resourcesto follow ,up. 
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you about the 
assignment of additional personnel to the New York Field Office, as well as other steps the 
Commission will take to remedy the illegal pirate radio problem in New York. 
Jt'· ' ~--
Cc: The Honorable Mignon Clyburn 
The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel 
The Honorable Agit Pai 
The Honorable Michael O'Rielly 
Member of Congress