An investigation continues after alleged threats and antisemitic messages were made against Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor over emergency channels for two days.WATCH PREVIOUS VIDEO IN PLAYFINDER ABOVE Allegheny County Emergency Services confirmed that the person making the alleged threats is not using a county- or city-registered radio. Officials also confirmed their system was not hacked.Paul Lauttamus, owner of AV Lauttamus Communications and Security, said the person responsible likely used a two-way radio. “This was probably a hobbyist who had access to programming software. They probably programmed the radio software with the frequencies of the county and the city,” Lauttamus said.Lauttamus said the suspect was able to access the channel because it operates on an analog system. He added that anyone with a two-way radio and the right knowledge could have figured out how to access it.At the time the threats were made, the county was already in the process of upgrading its radio systems as part of a multiyear project. Lauttamus is involved in that upgrade.“Once they go P25, it will eliminate any rogue programmers, as well as any software piracy that’s going on, in which they’ll have control of the system. And when they have control of the system, no one will be able to access it because they only have the authorized programmers authorized by the city as well as the county,” Lauttamus said.He said investigators will likely be able to determine which radio tower the transmissions came from, but identifying the exact radio used will be much more difficult.Lauttamus added that incidents like this are rare because of the severe penalties involved.“If I’m the person that made the terroristic threat, I would come forward now immediately because the FBI, the FCC, Allegheny County, as well as the city of Pittsburgh, will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, and they can be fined significantly up to $2.3 million,” he said.City leaders said multiple agencies are working to identify the person responsible. “The biggest concern when I heard was obviously my family with two little kids and my wife,” O’Connor told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Tuesday morning.He continued, saying, “We’re not going to change our daily routines. We’re doing our job for the residents. We’ve been in contact. A number of people have reached out, top-level, all the way down, but I think there’s a protocol for these situations. Again, for me, priority was kids and my wife, and now, we’re going to go on our daily business and continue.”In a statement, Councilwoman Barb Warwick said that in the wake of the frightening messages, Pittsburgh Police Zone 4 is increasing patrols at religious institutions.”In the wake of these frightening messages, Pittsburgh Police Zone 4 is increasing patrols at religious institutions,” Warwick said. “Pittsburgh’s ethnic and religious diversity is our strength and our asset. We must protect it as we continue to reject hate in all its forms.”As law enforcement investigates, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is asking the community to remain vigilant and call 911 to report suspicious behavior.Emergency officials said public safety personnel who typically use the affected channel have temporarily moved to a secure channel. They said emergency operations and responses have not been impacted during the investigation.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

An investigation continues after alleged threats and antisemitic messages were made against Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor over emergency channels for two days.

WATCH PREVIOUS VIDEO IN PLAYFINDER ABOVE

Allegheny County Emergency Services confirmed that the person making the alleged threats is not using a county- or city-registered radio. Officials also confirmed their system was not hacked.

Paul Lauttamus, owner of AV Lauttamus Communications and Security, said the person responsible likely used a two-way radio.

“This was probably a hobbyist who had access to programming software. They probably programmed the radio software with the frequencies of the county and the city,” Lauttamus said.

Lauttamus said the suspect was able to access the channel because it operates on an analog system. He added that anyone with a two-way radio and the right knowledge could have figured out how to access it.

At the time the threats were made, the county was already in the process of upgrading its radio systems as part of a multiyear project. Lauttamus is involved in that upgrade.

“Once they go P25, it will eliminate any rogue programmers, as well as any software piracy that’s going on, in which they’ll have control of the system. And when they have control of the system, no one will be able to access it because they only have the authorized programmers authorized by the city as well as the county,” Lauttamus said.

He said investigators will likely be able to determine which radio tower the transmissions came from, but identifying the exact radio used will be much more difficult.

Lauttamus added that incidents like this are rare because of the severe penalties involved.

“If I’m the person that made the terroristic threat, I would come forward now immediately because the FBI, the FCC, Allegheny County, as well as the city of Pittsburgh, will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, and they can be fined significantly up to $2.3 million,” he said.

City leaders said multiple agencies are working to identify the person responsible.

“The biggest concern when I heard was obviously my family with two little kids and my wife,” O’Connor told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Tuesday morning.

He continued, saying, “We’re not going to change our daily routines. We’re doing our job for the residents. We’ve been in contact. A number of people have reached out, top-level, all the way down, but I think there’s a protocol for these situations. Again, for me, priority was kids and my wife, and now, we’re going to go on our daily business and continue.”

In a statement, Councilwoman Barb Warwick said that in the wake of the frightening messages, Pittsburgh Police Zone 4 is increasing patrols at religious institutions.

“In the wake of these frightening messages, Pittsburgh Police Zone 4 is increasing patrols at religious institutions,” Warwick said. “Pittsburgh’s ethnic and religious diversity is our strength and our asset. We must protect it as we continue to reject hate in all its forms.”

As law enforcement investigates, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is asking the community to remain vigilant and call 911 to report suspicious behavior.

Emergency officials said public safety personnel who typically use the affected channel have temporarily moved to a secure channel. They said emergency operations and responses have not been impacted during the investigation.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.