July 1, 2025 Bronx, NY – While summer once signaled peak season for pirate radio, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is making it clear: illegal broadcasting is a year-round problem. The FCC's Enforcement Bureau has just fired off a new round of warning letters to Bronx property owners, demonstrating their continued commitment to shutting down unlicensed stations. This latest action underscores the FCC's aggressive stance and the hefty penalties now facing landlords who turn a blind eye.

Bronx Properties Under Scrutiny

Two specific Bronx properties and their owners are currently in the FCC's crosshairs. Hampden Realty, owner of an apartment building in the Morris Heights neighborhood, received a stern warning. FCC field agents repeatedly traced an illegal broadcast on 89.3 FM to the Hampden Place building, with detections in June 2024, November 2024, and January 2025. Adding to Hampden Realty's woes, Exclusive 1 Realty, the property manager for the site, also received a warning.

In a separate action, Diana Richards, owner of a property on Hill Avenue, was issued a warning letter after field agents pinpointed an unlicensed station's signal originating from her property on two occasions in February 2025.

Landlords Face Tough Choices and Hefty Fines

In both instances, the FCC has given the property owners a tight 10-business-day deadline. They must identify the individual engaged in the pirate radio broadcasting on their property and provide proof that the illegal activity has ceased.

But even compliance doesn't guarantee immunity. Similar to past enforcement actions, the Enforcement Bureau warns that turning over information won't necessarily shield landlords from personal fines. As Region One Director David Dombrowski's letter states, "If you do not respond to this notice, the FCC may nonetheless determine that, as a legal matter, you have sufficient knowledge of the above-referenced pirate radio activity to support enforcement action against you."

Escalating Penalties and the PIRATE Act's Reach

Under federal law, property owners and managers who continue to permit pirate radio operations on their premises can face severe financial repercussions. Thanks to annual inflation adjustments, the maximum penalties for pirate broadcasting have soared to an eye-watering $122,661 per day, with a potential total maximum fine of $2,453,218. This is a significant jump from last year's maximum of $2,391,097, highlighting the increasing financial risk for violators.

Furthermore, the PIRATE Act continues to empower the FCC with enhanced enforcement capabilities. This legislation mandates periodic enforcement sweeps and grants the Commission explicit authority to take action against landlords and property owners who "willfully and knowingly" allow pirate radio broadcasting on their properties. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the Enforcement Bureau issued 41 notices to property owners and managers, with 22 directly resulting from these mandated pirate sweeps, as detailed in the FCC’s annual report to Congress.

The message from the FCC is loud and clear: property owners have a responsibility to ensure their premises are not used for illegal broadcasting, and the consequences for non-compliance are becoming increasingly severe.