3,200+ Departments Encrypted
Zero Officers Harmed by Scanners
Multiple Lives Lost to Delayed Warnings

When Police Radios Went Silent, People Died

Across America, police departments are encrypting radios and eliminating public access that existed for decades. During the Highland Park shooting, open scanners saved lives—people took cover, avoided danger zones, and found loved ones using real-time information. In Chicago, where radios were already encrypted, 40 shots fired at a courthouse but the public never knew. This shift from transparency to secrecy is accelerating. The consequences are deadly.

Here's the evidence they don't want you to see—and what we all lose when police communications go dark.

Take Action Now See the Evidence
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Why Police Radio Encryption Endangers Public Safety

Comprehensive evidence showing the real-world impact of blocking public access to police communications

Zero Evidence of Harm

Multiple police departments admit they have zero documented cases of suspects using public scanner access to commit crimes or evade arrest.

Real-Time Public Safety

During the Highland Park mass shooting, media and the public turned to police scanners for live updates that helped people take cover and avoid danger.

Exposing Truth

Open radio channels revealed racist remarks during 2020 protests and exposed the chaotic Uvalde school shooting response that differed from official accounts.

Broad Opposition

Regional freedom-of-information organizations, journalists, community groups, and even some law enforcement officials oppose blanket encryption.

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Explore the Evidence

Each theme below presents documented evidence, real-world examples, and expert testimony about the importance of public access to police communications

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Transparency & Accountability

How encryption hinders public oversight, lets police control the narrative, and erodes trust. Learn why open communications are essential for holding law enforcement accountable.

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Public Safety & Emergencies

Documented cases where real-time scanner access saved lives during mass shootings, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Discover why seconds matter.

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Press Freedom & News Media

Why police scanners are essential tools for journalists to report breaking news accurately and quickly, serving the public interest in real time.

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Community Engagement

How everyday citizens use scanner access for situational awareness, grassroots safety advocacy, and maintaining trust between police and communities.

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Myths vs. Facts

Debunking common arguments for encryption, including claims about criminals using scanners, officer safety risks, and privacy concerns.

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Balanced Solutions

Practical approaches that protect truly sensitive operations while preserving transparency. Learn how hybrid systems can satisfy both safety and accountability.

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Transparency, Accountability, and Public Trust

Fully encrypting police radios eliminates an independent check on law enforcement activity, allowing departments to control what information reaches the public and when

Critical Public Oversight

"Fully encrypting police radios hinders the public's right to know what law enforcement is doing and makes it difficult for the news media and the public to hold their public servants accountable."

Transparency advocates warn that when all police communications go dark, citizens lose an independent check on police activity. Instead of being able to monitor law enforcement in real time, the public is asked to "just take officers' word" for what happened until official statements are released.

Press freedom observers note the post-2020 surge in police radio encryption came after heightened scrutiny of misconduct captured live on scanners, suggesting some departments moved to encryption to avoid accountability—not because of proven safety threats.

This fundamental shift in power dynamics removes a crucial layer of democratic oversight that has existed for decades. Without the ability to independently verify police actions as they unfold, communities must rely entirely on department-filtered information.

Police Control of the Narrative

Without public scanners, police departments control what information is released and when. Media watchdogs fear that an encrypted system lets agencies "control all of the information… what gets out to the public," undermining real-time scrutiny.

Chicago's Censorship

Chicago officials moved to a 30-minute delay on scanner audio and even removed some transmissions entirely from the feed, causing certain incidents to "vanish—as though they never happened."

Local media outlets blasted this as "censorship in its purest form."

Such practices erode accountability by allowing departments to curate which incidents the public learns about. When authorities can delay, filter, or entirely omit information about police activity, democratic oversight becomes impossible.

Press freedom groups warn that making it harder for journalists to report on police activity lets inconvenient information be "swept under the rug," hiding crime spikes or misconduct that real-time reporting would expose.

Secrecy Erodes Trust

Community members and even some police officials note that blanket secrecy is a step backward. A former police oversight commissioner in Berkeley opposed making routine police communications secret "except when necessary for public safety," noting that:

"Secrecy in government has a bad track record."

Police departments themselves have long acknowledged that openness is key to legitimacy. As one agency put it, "this commitment to transparency is critical to building community trust."

When agencies abruptly shut off public access to communications, it can breed suspicion that they have something to hide, undermining public confidence in law enforcement at a time when trust is already fragile.

Exposing Misconduct and Truth

Open radio channels have proven vital in revealing the truth about police actions:

2020 Protests

Citizens monitoring scanner traffic documented racist remarks by officers over the airwaves, prompting public outcry and accountability measures.

Uvalde School Shooting

Analysis of police radio communications from the 2022 tragedy exposed that the law enforcement response was chaotic and not as initially portrayed by officials.

Pattern Recognition

Civil liberties groups note that communities with greater insight into police activity can more readily spot patterns of bias or misconduct.

Observers believe the post-2020 push for accountability is exactly why some departments began encrypting routine channels—to "hide these communications… to avoid future lawsuits" rather than for true safety reasons.

Real-time access allows the public and press to catch discrepancies and wrongdoing as they happen. Encryption makes that far more difficult, if not impossible, eliminating a crucial tool for detecting and addressing police misconduct.

The Accountability Equation

More transparency means better odds of policing that respects rights. When police officers know that the community is literally overhearing their conduct, they may be more inclined to follow proper procedures and treat citizens with respect.

This is analogous to body camera footage in promoting professional behavior—but available instantly to the public, not just after a long records request that may never be fulfilled.

Research shows that transparency measures consistently improve police conduct and community relations. Open radio channels serve as a real-time accountability tool that costs nothing and requires no special access.

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Public Safety and Situational Awareness

Keeping police dispatch communications open can directly protect the public during fast-moving emergencies. In crises, real-time information isn't a luxury—it's potentially life-saving

Timely Alerts Save Lives

Highland Park Mass Shooting (July 4, 2022)

During the mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, "the media and the public turned to police scanners" for live updates. People used that information to:

  • Take cover and avoid danger
  • Steer clear of active threat areas
  • Help locate loved ones

These real-time alerts simply would not reach the community in time if channels were encrypted or significantly delayed.

Chicago Active Gunman

Chicago reporters monitoring the scanner were able to immediately warn residents of an active gunman at large in their area, "alerting the public of… imminent danger" while police searched for the suspect.

In everyday emergencies, hearing that a "wanted dangerous person [is] running around your neighborhood" tells people to shelter in place and warn family and neighbors—avoiding the danger instead of stumbling into it.

When Seconds Matter

"A 30-minute delay on scanner feeds will negatively impact public safety and could put lives in jeopardy when mere seconds matter."

In crises like active shooters, fast-spreading fires, or natural disasters, seconds matter. Media organizations argue that even short delays can have devastating consequences:

  • Tornado or bomb threats might reach the public too late
  • Drivers miss chances to learn about accidents before getting stuck in traffic
  • Neighbors remain unaware of nearby hazards until it's too late

Even a 15-minute delay (which some departments have implemented) can mean critical information arrives after the danger has passed—or worse, after people have unknowingly walked into harm's way.

Chicago's own 30-minute "compromise" feed was described by reporters as "almost useless for breaking news" because the situation was often over before the public heard a word.

Evidence of Harm When Radios Go Dark

Cutting off live communication has already had dangerous consequences:

Denver & Aurora, Colorado

When police went silent on the radio, newsrooms found themselves disconnected from crucial public safety updates and were slower to alert communities about ongoing threats—including active shooters and fast-moving wildfires that journalists previously flagged in real time.

Chicago Courthouse Gunfight

A gunfight at a city courthouse with over 40 shots fired went unreported in real time. The city "prevented you from knowing about this dangerous incident" as it unfolded, "jeopardizing the lives" of people nearby.

Armed Man in Neighborhood

Residents were not alerted when a man armed with a rifle roamed a Chicago neighborhood at dinnertime, because live scanner access was blocked.

Zero documented cases of open scanners causing harm to officers or victims, yet multiple instances where communities didn't learn about active shooters or wildfires in a timely way because scanners were encrypted.

Fire and EMS Are Going Dark Too

Encryption creep is spreading beyond police departments. Fire and EMS agencies that historically kept dispatch in the clear for situational awareness are now moving to fully encrypted systems, removing one of the last real-time warning tools the public relies on for evacuations, hazmat incidents, or major fires.

Toms River, New Jersey

The Toms River Township Fire Department recently moved to a 700 MHz Project 25 system and became the first fire department in New Jersey to fully encrypt its traffic. Volunteer firefighters and neighboring departments criticized the decision as an interoperability setback and noted that even where police radios were encrypted, fire dispatch had been left open so responders and residents could hear when a big incident was unfolding.

When fire and EMS channels go dark, mutual-aid partners may not have keys, volunteers lose a critical lifeline, and communities lose their last live feed for early warnings about structure fires, chemical releases, and mass-casualty events.

Reducing Public Panic and 911 Overload

Ironically, transparency can reduce public panic. When people hear sirens or see a commotion, an available scanner or scanner-based social media update can immediately explain the situation (e.g., "suspect in custody" or "explosion was a transformer, not an attack").

This knowledge prevents speculation and the flood of "what's happening?" 911 calls that occur when citizens are left in the dark. Officials in Nebraska noted that when real-time feeds were cut off, "numerous unnecessary calls to dispatchers" followed, as residents had no other way to get timely information.

Keeping primary radio traffic public helps inform the community quickly, so people can make safe decisions and avoid taxing emergency lines with questions that an open scanner might already answer.

Countering Rumors and Misinformation

When official information is absent, speculation on social media fills the void. Live radio provides a semi-official stream of facts that keeps neighborhood chats grounded and curbs rumor mills on Twitter, Facebook, or Nextdoor.

Without that anchor, "people will craft theories" that spread quickly; by the time a press release or FOIA response arrives days later, it's far too late to correct the record.

Real-Time Information as a Public Good

Emergency dispatch audio serves as a critical early warning system for communities. Unlike official alerts that must be composed, approved, and distributed through formal channels, scanner traffic provides immediate situational awareness.

This real-time information allows people to:

  • Make informed decisions about their safety
  • Avoid dangerous areas during active incidents
  • Take appropriate protective measures quickly
  • Share critical information with neighbors and family
  • Reduce anxiety through accurate information
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Essential Tool for News Media and Public Awareness

Police scanner traffic has long been a staple in newsrooms because it lets journalists report breaking news as accurately and quickly as possible, keeping the public informed in real time

Fast, Accurate News Delivery

Reporters monitor dispatches to find out about major accidents, crimes, fires, and other emergencies the moment they occur—then rush to the scene or start news coverage immediately. This real-time newsgathering is crucial for keeping the public informed.

"If scanners go silent, news outlets must wait for official press releases or tips, meaning the public learns about emergencies much later (or not at all)."

A 15-minute delay can mean missing "crucial moments that would benefit from an independent camera at a scene," resulting in lost evidence or angles that only immediate press presence could capture.

Many major stories have broken first on scanners: early warnings during a 2017 NYC terrorist truck attack and a 2023 crane collapse let media steer people from danger while officials were still mobilizing.

Unfiltered Information Flow

Direct radio access keeps police honest by allowing the press to hear events as they unfold, rather than relying solely on filtered statements.

RTDNA Warning

The largest association of broadcast news editors (RTDNA) has called full encryption one of the most dangerous trends in the industry, because police communications provide:

  • Essential updates on violent crime
  • Information about hazardous conditions
  • Details on officer-involved shootings

"The move to encrypt police scanner communications puts the public—and the newsrooms that serve them—at risk."

Vital information about public dangers or significant incidents may not reach news desks in time to alert the community when channels are encrypted.

Press Releases ≠ Real-Time News

Without scanners, journalists must wait for press releases or calls back from public information officers—updates that are often delayed, filtered, or incomplete. Important news can reach the public hours or days later, long after rumors have spread.

RTDNA members ranked police radio encryption their top concern in 2023 because it keeps newsrooms from getting essential real-time updates about violent crimes, hazardous conditions, or officer-involved incidents.

Accountability and Fact-Checking

An open scanner acts as a form of journalistic oversight. "We always need an independent monitor… and that's what the news media does on the public's behalf," explains one Colorado freedom-of-information expert.

By comparing what they hear on the radio to what officials later say, reporters can fact-check discrepancies. Real-time radio logs have helped journalists "piece together information that produced questions or exposed lies" in officials' accounts.

This independent verification role is especially critical in places with restrictive public records laws—in California, many police reports and bodycam videos "never become public" due to broad secrecy rules, so live radio is sometimes the only window into an incident.

Real-Time Reporting in Crises

During major emergencies, journalists use scanner information to provide rapid public safety updates that authorities themselves may not disseminate quickly.

Chicago Media Coalition

Newsrooms in Chicago wrote an open letter noting that live scanner access lets them "keep you, our readers, viewers, and listeners, safe and informed" in real time.

During an earlier shooting, reporters alerted the public to stay clear of an area because suspects were still at large—something that likely wouldn't happen if media were waiting on an official statement.

Journalists also emphasize that they use discretion: Chicago media noted that officials have "never identified members of the press as the disruptors" of police operations, and editors routinely coordinate with police to avoid jeopardizing investigations.

Broadcasters point out they have used live dispatch audio responsibly for years with no examples of that access harming an officer or victim; since encryption, there are multiple cases where communities were left in the dark about active shooters or wildfires because newsrooms were "suddenly disconnected."

Onerous Media Access Restrictions

When police insist on encryption, some offer "media access" agreements—but these often come with unacceptable restrictions:

Denver Example

Officials offered decryption licenses to news organizations only if they paid hefty fees ($4,000) and agreed to let city auditors examine their news materials.

Legal Liability

Some departments demanded that news outlets indemnify the police (take on legal liability) for anything that happens due to information they broadcast.

Result

Journalists have been hesitant to sign such agreements. The result: neither the press nor the public has live access.

Media groups say restricted access "will harm our ability" to report timely, potentially life-saving news and "render it more difficult to hold government accountable."

Fourth Estate Under Threat

The press serves as the Fourth Estate—an independent check on government power. When law enforcement agencies can unilaterally cut off access to public information, they undermine this fundamental democratic institution.

Open access to police communications allows journalists to:

  • Verify official statements independently
  • Provide context that press releases omit
  • Ask informed questions at press conferences
  • Identify patterns that authorities might prefer to hide
  • Serve as the public's eyes and ears on government activity
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Community Engagement and Advocacy Benefits

Everyday residents use public police radio feeds to stay informed about their neighborhoods, enabling grassroots safety efforts and maintaining trust between communities and law enforcement

Informed Citizens in Real Time

"When we hear sirens, we put on the scanner. If there's a pursuit of a suspect in my neighborhood, I want to know."

— Berkeley resident

This kind of situational awareness lets community members make prudent choices—such as staying indoors if a dangerous suspect is nearby—without waiting for official alerts (which might never come for smaller incidents).

It also quells anxiety: people feel safer and more in control when they can directly hear what the emergency is (and isn't).

Empowering Grassroots Safety Efforts

Walk Bike Berkeley

This group relies on police radio reports to learn about serious car crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists.

"Open radio traffic has alerted us to severe collisions… and provided more granular detail than might be available otherwise."

Armed with this knowledge, members go to crash scenes immediately to gather witness accounts and evidence while it's fresh. These community-collected details have been essential in understanding what really happened in fatal accidents—information that can later be used to lobby for safer street designs.

Without live radio, these advocacy efforts would be hobbled, as they'd only learn of incidents long after the fact (if at all).

Public as Watchdogs

Scanner access enables citizens to actively monitor public servants. Many see listening not as snooping or entertainment, but as a civic duty.

"Some people feel it's their right to be able to monitor public servants in real time."

This kind of engagement can deter abuse: police officers aware that the community is literally overhearing their conduct may be less inclined to overstep.

As journalist Marc Ambinder observed, public access to radio traffic "encourages the law enforcement community to act… as they would if they knew people were listening and watching."

It's analogous to body-cam footage in promoting professional behavior—but available instantly to the public, not just after a long records request.

Maintaining Community-Police Trust

In an era when public trust in policing is fragile, keeping communications open can improve transparency and relations. Residents appreciate when they're not kept in the dark about neighborhood crime and police activity.

Departments that continue to broadcast non-sensitive calls demonstrate that they have nothing to hide, reinforcing trust. By contrast, sudden radio silence can breed rumors and resentment.

Some communities have pushed back hard on encryption plans, arguing that making police radio "private" except for true tactical needs runs against community values of openness. Even city leaders have acknowledged that transparency via radio is part of "Berkeley values" and essential to accountable policing.

Honoring the public's interest in real-time information shows respect for citizens as partners in public safety, rather than treating them as outsiders who must be on a "need-to-know" basis.

Broad Coalition Opposes Blanket Encryption

It's not just activists or journalists—a wide array of stakeholders believe primary dispatch channels should stay open:

Freedom of Information Organizations

Regional FOI groups advocate for transparency as a democratic principle.

Hobbyist Scanner Enthusiasts

First-responder hobbyists volunteer information and support public safety monitoring.

Newspaper Editorial Boards

Local and national publications oppose encryption in editorials.

Community Prepper Groups

Emergency preparedness advocates rely on real-time information.

Some Law Enforcement Officials

Even some police officials recognize transparency benefits community relations.

They recognize that routine dispatch (unlike SWAT operations) poses little risk in being public, and that the benefits to transparency and community awareness outweigh theoretical downsides.

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Myths vs. Facts: Countering Common Arguments for Encryption

Proponents of encryption often cite security and safety concerns. Here's what the evidence actually shows

Click any myth below to reveal the documented facts and evidence that debunk it.

Operational Risks of Going Fully Dark

Blanket encryption isn't just a transparency problem—it can undermine safety and operations:

  • Interagency friction: Fire, EMS, or neighboring police may not have the right keys, delaying coordination during multi-agency responses.
  • Audio reliability: Encrypted digital signals can garble or drop out—Chicago officers struggled to understand an "I'm hit" call for minutes.
  • Cost and complexity: Reprogramming or replacing thousands of radios and managing encryption keys is expensive, yet yields no proven public-safety benefit.
  • Latency and failure modes: Added processing and key issues create new points of failure when seconds count, with no public-channel fallback.

A Balanced Approach is Possible

Importantly, advocates do not argue that everything should be broadcast in the clear. There is consensus that certain situations warrant encryption:

When Encryption is Justified:

  • SWAT raids and tactical operations
  • Hostage negotiations
  • Undercover operations
  • Databases with personal information

In practice, many departments have taken a hybrid approach—keeping primary dispatch channels open for transparency, while moving tactical or highly sensitive communications to encrypted channels.

"It's possible to protect officer safety and privacy while still allowing the community and press to monitor ordinary police activity."

Such solutions show that we don't face an all-or-nothing choice. When officers need to relay an operational secret or a victim's Social Security number, they can "temporarily switch to a secure channel" or use a mobile computer, rather than broadcast it publicly.

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Balanced Solutions: Protecting Safety While Preserving Transparency

We don't face an all-or-nothing choice. Practical hybrid approaches can protect sensitive operations while maintaining public oversight of routine police activity

The Hybrid Approach

Many departments have successfully implemented systems that balance security needs with transparency requirements. The key principle: keep primary dispatch channels open for routine communications, while using encrypted channels for truly sensitive operations.

Open Public Channels

For Routine Dispatch:

  • Basic patrol assignments
  • Traffic stops and accidents
  • General incident locations and types
  • Unit status and availability
  • Non-sensitive calls for service

Encrypted Secure Channels

For Sensitive Operations:

  • SWAT and tactical operations
  • Hostage negotiations
  • Undercover operations
  • Personal information queries
  • Specific operational tactics

Technical Solutions for Privacy Protection

Concerns about broadcasting victims' personal information can be addressed without encrypting all dispatch traffic:

Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs)

Officers can run license plates, check IDs, and query databases through in-car computer systems that are already encrypted and never broadcast publicly.

Temporary Channel Switching

When officers need to relay sensitive personal information, they can temporarily switch to a secure channel, then return to the public channel for general communications.

Code Systems

Use alphanumeric codes for individuals rather than broadcasting names or identifying information over primary dispatch channels.

Officer Training

Train dispatchers and officers to avoid broadcasting sensitive personal details over public channels, using secure alternatives when necessary.

Addressing Interference Concerns

Modern radio systems have technical capabilities to prevent unauthorized transmissions without blocking public listening:

Digital Radio Authentication

Modern digital radio systems can authenticate transmitters, rejecting any unauthorized radio from broadcasting on police frequencies. This prevents "rogue transmissions" or pranks without encrypting the audio that the public receives.

Selective Encryption

Individual radio IDs can be encrypted to prevent spoofing, while the voice communication remains in the clear for public monitoring. This combines security with transparency.

Real-World Success Stories

Berkeley's Former System

For years, Berkeley maintained a hybrid approach that satisfied both transparency needs and safety concerns. Primary dispatch remained open while tactical operations used encrypted channels. This system allowed community oversight while protecting sensitive information—until recent encryption efforts threatened this balance.

Delayed Streaming Options

Some jurisdictions have experimented with short delays (2-5 minutes) on public feeds. While not ideal, this compromise maintains transparency while providing a security buffer. However, delays longer than 5 minutes significantly reduce the public safety value of real-time information.

Media Access Agreements: What Works and What Doesn't

Some departments offer "media access" to encrypted channels, but implementation matters:

❌ Unacceptable Restrictions

  • High fees ($4,000+) that exclude small outlets
  • Government audits of news materials
  • Requirements to indemnify police
  • Delays of 30+ minutes
  • Restrictions on what can be reported

âś“ Reasonable Media Access

  • No or minimal fees
  • No editorial oversight
  • Minimal delays (under 5 minutes)
  • Available to all credentialed media
  • Clear protocols for emergencies

However: Even "good" media-only access excludes the public, reducing community oversight and removing the broader civic engagement benefits of open channels.

Legislative Solutions

Some state legislatures are considering laws to preserve public access while addressing legitimate concerns:

Presumption of Openness

Laws requiring that routine dispatch remain public unless specific, documented security needs require encryption on a call-by-call basis.

Delayed Public Access

Requirements that even if channels are encrypted, audio must be made available with short delays or through public portals.

Media Access Requirements

Mandates that credentialed journalists receive real-time access to encrypted channels without onerous fees or restrictions.

Transparency Reports

Requirements that departments document and publicly justify decisions to encrypt specific channels or operations.

The Path Forward

The evidence shows that we can protect legitimate security interests without sacrificing the transparency that democratic accountability requires. Hybrid systems, thoughtful training, and modern technology offer solutions that serve both public safety and public oversight.

Key Principles for Balanced Policies:

  1. Keep routine dispatch communications open to the public
  2. Use encrypted channels only for truly sensitive operations
  3. Implement technical solutions for privacy protection
  4. Train officers on appropriate channel usage
  5. Maintain transparency about encryption decisions
  6. Preserve press and public access as the default
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Case Studies: Real-World Impact

These documented cases demonstrate both the critical value of open police communications and the dangerous consequences of encryption

Encryption Harm

Chicago: Censorship in Its Purest Form

Location: Chicago, Illinois Issue: 30-minute delays and transmission removal

What Happened

Chicago officials implemented a 30-minute delay on police scanner audio and went further by removing some transmissions entirely from the feed, causing certain incidents to "vanish—as though they never happened."

Impact

  • A gunfight at a city courthouse with over 40 shots fired went unreported in real time
  • Residents were not alerted when a man armed with a rifle roamed a neighborhood at dinnertime
  • The public was "prevented from knowing about dangerous incidents" as they unfolded
  • Lives were "jeopardized" when people nearby had no idea of active threats

Response

Local media outlets blasted this as "censorship in its purest form." A coalition of Chicago newsrooms wrote an open letter stating that live scanner access lets them "keep you, our readers, viewers, and listeners, safe and informed" in real time—something impossible under the delay system.

"Officials have never identified members of the press as the disruptors of police operations."

Takeaway

When departments control information flow, critical public safety information can be delayed or hidden entirely. This case demonstrates how encryption and delays enable selective disclosure that undermines accountability.

Open Access Benefit

Highland Park Mass Shooting

Location: Highland Park, Illinois Date: July 4, 2022 Incident: Mass shooting at parade

What Happened

During the July 4, 2022 mass shooting at a holiday parade, "the media and the public turned to police scanners" for live updates as the tragedy unfolded.

How Scanner Access Helped

  • People used real-time information to take cover and avoid danger
  • Residents could steer clear of active threat areas
  • Families were able to help locate loved ones using incident updates
  • News media provided continuous public safety alerts based on scanner information

"These real-time alerts simply would not reach the community in time if channels were encrypted or significantly delayed."

Takeaway

In fast-moving crises, every second counts. Open police communications enabled the community to make life-saving decisions in real time, without waiting for official press releases that came much later.

Accountability

Uvalde School Shooting Response

Location: Uvalde, Texas Date: May 2022 Issue: Law enforcement response failure

What Happened

Analysis of police radio communications from the 2022 Uvalde school shooting provided crucial evidence about the law enforcement response to the tragedy.

What Radio Analysis Revealed

The communications exposed that the law enforcement response was chaotic and not as initially portrayed by officials. Radio traffic showed:

  • Significant delays in establishing command
  • Confusion about response protocols
  • Discrepancies between official statements and actual actions
  • Timeline inconsistencies that contradicted public accounts

Impact on Accountability

Without access to these communications, the public would have had to rely solely on official statements from the departments involved. The radio evidence provided independent verification that:

  • Challenged official narratives
  • Informed policy discussions about response protocols
  • Enabled accountability measures and reforms
  • Gave families seeking truth access to factual evidence

"Real-time access allows the public and press to catch discrepancies and wrongdoing; encryption makes that far more difficult."

Takeaway

Police radio communications serve as a critical independent record of law enforcement actions. When official statements conflict with reality, these communications provide evidence for accountability and reform.

Accountability

2020 Protests: Exposing Officer Misconduct

Time Period: Summer 2020 Issue: Police conduct during protests

What Happened

During the 2020 protests following George Floyd's death, citizens monitoring scanner traffic documented racist remarks by officers over the airwaves, prompting public outcry and accountability measures.

Impact

  • Public documentation of inappropriate conduct
  • Independent evidence beyond official channels
  • Community pressure for accountability
  • Departmental investigations and discipline

Context

Observers believe the post-2020 push for police accountability is exactly why some departments began encrypting routine channels—to "hide these communications… to avoid future lawsuits" rather than for true safety reasons.

"More transparency means better odds of policing that respects rights."

Takeaway

Open channels allow the public to document misconduct in real time. Encryption would have prevented this evidence from coming to light, allowing inappropriate conduct to continue unchecked.

Encryption Harm

Denver and Aurora: Going Dark

Location: Denver and Aurora, Colorado Issue: Full encryption implementation

What Happened

When Denver and Aurora police departments encrypted their radio communications, newsrooms found themselves disconnected from crucial public safety updates and were slower to alert communities about ongoing threats.

Impact

  • Delayed reporting on active shooters
  • Missed wildfire warnings
  • Reduced ability to provide real-time public safety information
  • Community members left uninformed about nearby dangers

Media Access Restrictions

Denver offered decryption licenses to news organizations, but only with unacceptable conditions:

  • Hefty fees: $4,000+ per outlet
  • Government oversight: City auditors could examine news materials
  • Legal liability: Outlets had to indemnify the police

Journalists were understandably hesitant to sign such agreements, leaving both press and public without access.

"There are zero cases of open scanners causing harm to officers or victims, yet multiple instances where communities didn't learn about active shooters or wildfires in a timely way because scanners were encrypted."

Takeaway

Even when "media access" is offered, onerous restrictions can make it unworkable. The result is a loss of independent oversight and reduced public safety awareness.

Evidence-Based

Palo Alto: Zero Evidence for Encryption

Location: Palo Alto, California Research Period: 3 years of records

What the Research Showed

When Palo Alto police considered encryption, they conducted a 3-year records search to document cases where suspects used scanner listening to commit crimes or avoid arrest.

The result: "No responsive records" were found.

Official Admission

A Palo Alto official even conceded they "do not keep a statistic" on scanner-aided crimes because it's simply not a notable issue.

Broader Pattern

Multiple police departments that recently encrypted in California admitted they had zero documented cases in recent years of suspects using police radio traffic to aid criminal activity.

"It happens, but it's still rare for criminals to be caught trying to escape the police using scanners."

Takeaway

The primary argument for encryption—that criminals use scanners to evade police—is not supported by evidence. Departments implementing encryption often cannot cite a single documented case justifying the policy change.

The Pattern Is Clear

Across these case studies, a consistent pattern emerges: open police communications enhance public safety and accountability, while encryption creates information gaps that endanger communities and reduce oversight.

The evidence shows that fears about scanner access are largely unfounded, while the benefits to transparency, accountability, and public safety are well-documented and significant.

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Sources & References

All information on this website is based on verified sources and documented evidence. Below is a complete list of references cited throughout the site

Primary Source Articles

The Denver Police Just Encrypted Their Scanners And Journalists Are Protesting The Silence

Colorado Public Radio (CPR)

Detailed coverage of Denver's encryption decision and the journalism community's response, including impacts on public safety reporting and media access restrictions.

Read Article →

What We Told Police About Scanner Encryption

ACLU of Nebraska

Civil liberties perspective on scanner encryption, addressing public safety concerns, 911 overload, and the balance between security and transparency.

Read Article →

Chicago City Officials Blocking Access to Some Live Radio Transmissions

ABC7 Chicago

Investigation into Chicago's 30-minute scanner delays and transmission removal, including specific incidents that "vanished" from public record and media coalition responses.

Read Article →

Public Begins to Push Back on Berkeley Police Encryption Plan

The Berkeley Scanner

Community response to Berkeley's encryption proposal, including statements from oversight commissioners, advocacy groups like Walk Bike Berkeley, and residents concerned about transparency.

Read Article →

Police Are Increasingly Encrypting Their Radios to Block Scrutiny by Journalists

Truthout

Comprehensive analysis of the national trend toward encryption, including RTDNA statements, journalist perspectives, and examples of how encryption impacts accountability reporting.

Read Article →

About Those Scanners...

The Week

Discussion of scanner culture, entertainment vs. civic engagement aspects, and the public's relationship with police radio monitoring.

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Encrypted Police Scanners Are Raising Big Questions

Built In

Interview with Broadcastify CEO addressing officer safety claims, tactical advantage arguments, and evidence (or lack thereof) that scanners endanger law enforcement.

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No Reports of Scanners Aiding Crime – Argument for Encryption Loses Steam

Palo Alto Daily Post

Investigation revealing that Palo Alto police had "no responsive records" of scanner-aided crimes despite 3-year search, undermining primary justification for encryption.

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Organizations Opposing Blanket Encryption

Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)

Largest association of broadcast news editors; calls encryption one of the most dangerous trends for press freedom and public safety.

ACLU Chapters

Multiple state ACLU organizations advocate for balanced approaches that protect civil liberties and government transparency.

First Amendment Coalition

California-based FOI organization arguing against "sweeping government secrecy" in response to privacy concerns.

Local News Organizations

Media coalitions in Chicago, Denver, and other cities have formally protested encryption policies.

Community Advocacy Groups

Organizations like Walk Bike Berkeley use scanner data for traffic safety and policy advocacy.

Broadcastify

World's largest source of live safety, aircraft, rail, and marine audio streams, providing public scanner access.

About This Research

All information presented on this website is derived from verified journalistic sources, official statements, civil liberties organizations, and documented incidents. We prioritize:

  • Source verification: All claims are linked to original reporting or official documents
  • Multiple perspectives: Evidence includes law enforcement, media, community, and expert viewpoints
  • Balanced presentation: Arguments for encryption are addressed with documented counterevidence
  • Current information: Research includes recent developments and ongoing policy debates

If you have additional sources, case studies, or corrections, please contribute to improving this resource.

Take Action for Transparency

Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.

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Use our template to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.

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Tell us how police scanner access has helped your community stay safe and informed.

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Voices for Transparency

Journalists, civil liberties experts, and community members speak out about why public access to police communications matters.

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Community Stories

Real experiences from people who've relied on police scanner access for safety, awareness, and accountability.

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Have police scanners helped you stay safe, informed, or aware of your community? Share your experience to help others understand why public access matters.

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Draft Your Letter

Contact your local officials and police department leadership about maintaining public access to police communications. Use this tool to create a personalized, evidence-based letter that explains why transparency matters.

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Examples: Recent emergency, community event, personal experience with public safety information

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about police radio encryption and public access.

Multiple police departments admit they have zero documented cases of suspects using scanner access to commit crimes or evade police. This common claim lacks evidence despite decades of public scanner access.

Law enforcement groups and studies show no correlation between scanner access and officer harm. Officers have safely operated with open channels for generations. Encryption is about control, not safety.

Hybrid systems can protect sensitive channels while keeping routine dispatch open. Many departments already use tactical channels for sensitive operations. Full encryption is unnecessary for privacy protection.

During emergencies like mass shootings or natural disasters, real-time scanner access helps people avoid danger, locate loved ones, and receive critical warnings. Even 15-minute delays can put lives at risk when seconds matter.

Official statements often come hours or days later, are filtered to favor the department's narrative, and may omit key details. Real-time access prevents police from controlling what information reaches the public.

Hybrid systems keep routine dispatch communications open while encrypting tactical channels for sensitive operations like undercover work, SWAT operations, or ongoing investigations. This balances transparency with legitimate security needs.

Opposition includes the Radio Television Digital News Association, First Amendment Coalition, ACLU, numerous journalism coalitions, civil liberties organizations, and even some law enforcement officials who value community trust.

Contact your local officials, share your story if scanner access has helped you, educate your community, support journalism organizations, and attend city council meetings when encryption is discussed.

Encryption Policy Database

Search our database of police department encryption policies across the country. Help us track this trend by reporting policies in your area.

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The Choice Is Clear

The benefits of public access to police dispatch communications—enhanced transparency, accountability, community awareness, and trust—far outweigh the unproven security concerns cited by proponents of encryption.

Continuing to allow open, real-time police radio communications with limited exceptions for truly sensitive information is ultimately a boon to public safety and democratic accountability.

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