From: djc@terapin.com (Don Coco)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.scanner
Subject: 800 MHZ Trunked Radio Signals
Date: 21 Jan 93 14:54:48 PST
Organization: BBS

          The City Of Oakland
          Office Of Corporate Information Services
          Suite 400, 505          14th Street
          Oakland, Ca. 94612
          January 14 1993
  Mr. Don Coco
401 Fairmount Ave Apt 203
Oakland, Ca. 94611-5509
Dear Mr. Coco::
     As we discussed yesterday, I have enclosed a copy of the 
City's Application to monitor radio communications and pricing 
information for portable radios and access.  I have highlighted 
in yellow those radios which are compatible with are system.
     I believe you would find the MPA SCAN radio (Model PAPST5) 
the best suited for your intended use.  This radio would allow 
you to scan all dispatch groups in addition to individually 
selecting a group.  If you have any questions, please feel free 
to contact me at  (510) 238-2272.
          Sincerely
          Gregg B. Obuch
          Telecommunications Manager
Gob. Pia
Enclosures
Dear Mr. Obuch:
     I have reviewed all of the forms you sent me, and the 
following is my responce:
     I found these radios much too expensive for me as I live on 
SSI and pay a high rent.  I am badly upset that I can not monitor 
the fire department.  While I understand the need for the new 
system, after the Oakland fire in 1991, I can't understand why 
the city can't leave on the VHF repeaters.  I think that the city 
has been totally unfair in installing a new system, and denying 
my access in terms of being allowed to monitor the fire 
department.  The only thing I want to monitor is the fire 
department because of my safety and the safety of my family.  
$3000 is much too steep for a person on a limited income, and I 
am asking for help.  Because I am so worried and upset about this 
issue I am considering moving out of the city, something I don't 
want to do as I have a nice home here.
     I am wonderring if you can talk to the city council on my 
behalf, and see whether the city would be willing to give me a 
low interrest loan in order to acquire one of these radios.  I 
don't know anyone who works for the city, and you and Steve are 
my best contacts.  Please see what you can do, and give me a call 
or leave me a note here.  My phone number is (510) 452-2043.
          Sincerely
          Donald J. Coco

Note, I wrote my response on January 21 of 93.  I am going to do whatever it
takes to resolve this issue so I can listen.  As a young blind kid In Boston, I
was in a fire and it is the only thing in the whole world that I am afraid of. 
We have a bbs run by the city of Oakland and I sent the above letter to Mr.
Obush.  All I can do now is wait.  I am down to 4 hours a day of sleep because
I am so badly upset about this thing.  If this was just a hobby for me I could
let it go but it's much more as you have been reading here.  If I was only
myself, I could rent a room somewhere else.  My wife is sighted but has CP and
I have a young blind woman living with us to help pay for the expenses of a big
apartment in the heart of Oakland.  Of course I will keep you informed and hope
that I am not boring you but I want you to understand why I feel that cities
need to address all aspects of this issue before "deniing access.