Encryption Just Announced?
Your 72-Hour Rapid Activation Plan
You just found out your city is encrypting police radios. Maybe you saw it in the news, or a council agenda, or a police department announcement. Don't panic. Here's exactly what to do in the next 72 hours.
First 24 Hours
Immediate actions that set up your campaign for success
Gather Information
- Find the source: council agenda, police announcement, news article
- Identify the decision timeline: When is the vote? Is it already decided?
- Determine the cost: Look for budget documents or estimates
- Note key officials: Who's pushing this? Who might oppose?
Questions to Answer:
- Is this a proposal, pending decision, or done deal?
- What's the timeline for implementation?
- Was there public input?
- What's the stated justification?
File FOIA Requests Immediately
Even if you don't get responses before the decision, filing shows you're serious and may produce useful evidence later.
- Request 1: All documented cases of scanner access harming officers
- Request 2: Encryption cost documents and vendor proposals
- Request 3: Internal communications about encryption decision
Contact Journalists
- Identify reporters who cover city hall, public safety, or police
- Send brief email explaining the situation and why it matters
- Offer yourself as a source for quotes
- Share key facts: cost, timeline, lack of evidence for safety claims
QUICK EMAIL TEMPLATE
Subject: [CITY] Police Encryption Announcement - Community Concerns
Hi [NAME],
I noticed [CITY] is moving forward with police radio encryption. This would eliminate public access that helped people survive the Highland Park shooting.
There's significant community concern. When Palo Alto searched 3 years of records for scanner-related officer harm, they found zero cases. I'd be happy to share more background if you're covering this.
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR CONTACT INFO]
Begin Coalition Outreach
- Fire/EMS contacts: Local union, fire chief, volunteer departments
- Media contacts: Local newspaper editors, TV news directors
- Advocacy groups: Local ACLU, community organizations
- Personal network: Friends, neighbors who might care
Don't worry about formal coalition yet - just get people aware and interested.
Days 2-3: Coalition Mobilization
Building the team that will sustain your campaign
Priority Contacts Checklist
Newspaper editors, TV assignment desks, radio news directors
Fire chief, EMS director, union president - interoperability concerns
Local ACLU, NAACP, police accountability groups
Identify potential allies - new members, progressives, fiscal hawks
Neighborhood associations, PTAs, business groups
Emergency Outreach Script
"Hi, I'm [NAME], a [ROLE] in [CITY]. I'm reaching out because our police department just announced they're encrypting radio communications.
This would eliminate the public access that helped people during the Highland Park shooting. Fire and EMS also have interoperability concerns.
I'm connecting people who want to raise concerns before the council decides. Would your organization be interested in signing a letter or having someone speak at the next meeting?"
Emergency Coalition Letter
COALITION LETTER TEMPLATE
To: [CITY] City Council
Re: Concerns About Police Radio Encryption
The undersigned organizations and community members urge the Council to delay any decision on police radio encryption until there has been meaningful public input and consideration of alternatives.
Our concerns include:
- No documented evidence that scanner access has ever harmed officers
- Real-time emergency information access for community safety
- Press freedom and accountability implications
- Fire/EMS interoperability challenges
- [COST] expenditure with no proven benefit
We request a public hearing before any final decision.
Signed,
[LIST OF SIGNATORIES]
Week 1: Full Campaign Activation
From crisis response to sustained pressure
Media Blitz
- Day 3: Submit op-ed to local newspaper
- Day 4: Coordinate letters to editor from coalition
- Day 5: Pitch story to TV news (visual: community members at meeting)
- Day 6: Launch social media campaign with hashtags
- Day 7: Follow up with all media contacts
Council Meeting Prep
- Register to speak (check deadline - often 24-48 hours before)
- Prepare 2-minute testimony script
- Coordinate coalition speakers (different angles)
- Prepare sign-in sheet for supporters
- Create handout for council members
Town Hall Organizing
- Book venue (library, community center, church)
- Invite council members to attend
- Prepare presentation on encryption impacts
- Create sign-up sheet for ongoing involvement
- Plan follow-up actions for attendees
Official Lobbying
- Request meetings with swing-vote council members
- Prepare one-pager leave-behind
- Bring coalition members to meetings
- Ask specific questions about their position
- Follow up with thank you and additional info
Crisis Communication Templates
Ready-to-use templates for rapid response
Emergency Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community Coalition Demands Public Hearing on Police Encryption
[CITY], [STATE] — A coalition of community organizations, journalists, and concerned residents is calling on the [CITY] City Council to hold a public hearing before approving police radio encryption.
"This decision would eliminate the public access that helped people survive the Highland Park shooting," said [SPOKESPERSON NAME]. "There's been no public input and no evidence that encryption solves any real problem."
The coalition points to Palo Alto, California, where officials searched three years of police records and found zero documented cases of scanner access harming officers. Despite this, [CITY] is considering spending [COST] on encryption.
[Continue with local details, coalition members, next steps]
Contact: [NAME], [PHONE], [EMAIL]
Emergency Op-Ed
~500 WORDS
[CITY] Deserves a Say on Police Radio Encryption
Last week, [CITY] quietly announced plans to encrypt police radio communications. If this goes forward, it will eliminate the real-time public access that has kept our community informed for decades.
This deserves public debate, not a quiet administrative decision.
When a gunman opened fire at the Highland Park July 4th parade in 2022, open police scanner access helped residents take cover. They knew where the shooter was, where to run, and when it was safe. That access saved lives.
[CITY] officials claim encryption will protect officers. But when Palo Alto, California actually searched their records for cases where scanner access harmed officers, they found zero. Not a few. Zero.
Meanwhile, the real costs are clear. After Denver encrypted, residents missed real-time alerts during wildfires. In Chicago, a 30-minute delay makes scanner access "almost useless" for breaking news. Parents during school emergencies are left in the dark.
Better alternatives exist. Many departments use hybrid systems that encrypt tactical operations while keeping routine dispatch open. The California Highway Patrol protects officer identities by broadcasting badge numbers instead of names.
Before [CITY] spends [COST] on this, we deserve answers: What problem does this solve? Where's the evidence? What alternatives were considered?
The Council should hold a public hearing and listen to the community before making this decision for us.
[YOUR NAME] is a [ROLE] in [CITY].
Emergency Social Media Thread
TWITTER/X THREAD
1/ BREAKING: [CITY] just announced they're encrypting police radios. This would eliminate the public access that saved lives during mass shootings. Here's what you need to know: 🧵
2/ What this means: No more real-time scanner access during emergencies. Parents during school lockdowns? In the dark. Breaking news coverage? Delayed or eliminated. Community awareness? Gone.
3/ Their justification: "Officer safety." The evidence: ZERO documented cases of scanner access ever harming officers. Palo Alto searched 3 years of records. Found nothing.
4/ The cost: [CITY] wants to spend [AMOUNT] solving a problem that doesn't exist while creating real public safety risks.
5/ What you can do RIGHT NOW:
- Email your council member
- Attend the [DATE] council meeting
- Share this thread
- Sign the coalition letter: [LINK]
6/ This decision hasn't been made yet. Community pressure stopped encryption in Palo Alto. It delayed it in Oakland. Your voice matters. #KeepScannersOpen #[City]
Rapid Media Response
Talking points for immediate quotes
Lead Message
"This decision would eliminate the real-time access that helped people survive the Highland Park shooting. The claimed justification has zero documented evidence behind it."
On Officer Safety Claims
"When Palo Alto searched three years of police records for any case where scanner access harmed officers, they found zero. The problem encryption supposedly solves doesn't exist."
On Public Safety
"After Denver encrypted, residents missed wildfire alerts. In Chicago, delays make scanner access almost useless. This makes communities less safe, not more."
On Alternatives
"Better solutions exist. Hybrid systems can protect tactical operations while keeping dispatch open. We should explore those options before spending millions on secrecy."
On Process
"This decision affects everyone who uses scanner access during emergencies - parents, journalists, firefighters, neighbors. We deserve public input before this changes."
On Cost
"[CITY] wants to spend [AMOUNT] on encryption with zero documented return on investment. That's taxpayer money solving a problem that doesn't exist."
Take Action for Transparency
Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.
Contact Your Representatives
Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.
Get StartedRead Case Studies
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.
Prepare to Speak