'Drive-By' Threat Made To Bellevue Radio Station Over Segment

BELLEVUE, WA - Someone got mad enough at a local radio station's regular segment recently to threaten a drive-by shooting, according to Bellevue police. The threat was made Friday to Rock 98.9, which broadcasts from a building in Factoria.

According to police, the caller was upset about the station's "Deadbeat Dads" segment. The suspect called the station and said he hoped someone would do a drive-by. Police called it a "veiled threat."

"Deadbeat Dads" airs during The Billy Madison Show mornings between 6 and 9 a.m. The show features DJs Billy Madison and his co-hosts, Derek and Nard. The station describes the "Deadbeat Dads" segment this way:

One of Billy’s favorite bits is busting “Deadbeat Dads” on the air after luring them on the phone under the guise of winning a prize. The ex-wife, girlfriend, or (simply the mother of the child) is on the call as well and once Billy asks, “Why don’t you pay your child support?” the mother confronts the “Dead Beat Dad” and then it gets real.

However, the segment is staged, according to Bellevue police.

"The segment is actually radio theater and not actual people," police wrote in a blotter item.

Still, an officer responded and documented the call as an incident of harassment.

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