MAINE ACTIVIST PLAYBOOK

Maine Action Guide

State-Specific Tactics to Restore Police Radio Transparency

Maine's encryption landscape is mixed. While Lewiston and Auburn have fully encrypted their police radios, Maine State Police and Bangor remain accessible. This guide gives you the contacts, templates, and tactics to preserve transparency and reverse encryption in the Pine Tree State.

Maine's Encryption Landscape

Understanding the battlefield before you fight

Maine presents a mixed picture for police radio transparency. Lewiston and Auburn (the "Twin Cities") implemented a $4.5 million 800MHz encrypted radio system that is 100% encrypted for police. However, Maine State Police remains unencrypted on primary dispatch channels, and Bangor has not encrypted (though they've stopped broadcasting addresses over the radio).

Maine's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) is a strong transparency tool. Public bodies cannot charge for the first 2 hours of staff time, and over 300 statutory exceptions exist - but police radio policies are not typically among them. The Androscoggin County Sheriff's dispatch remains unencrypted.

Twin Cities Lewiston/Auburn Encrypted
MSP State Police Still Accessible
FOAA Strong Public Records Law

Key Maine Encryption Timeline

Pre-2020 Most Maine agencies accessible via scanner
~2020 Lewiston and Auburn implement $4.5M 800MHz encrypted system
2023 Maine State Police reorganizes field troops; primary dispatch remains unencrypted
Present Bangor stops broadcasting addresses due to social media scanner pages
2026 Houlton passes public information access policy for FOAA transparency

Key Maine Contacts

The people who can make change happen

State Government

Governor Janet Mills

Executive Branch

Why Contact: Governor Mills is Maine's first female governor and a former attorney general. She has experience with transparency issues and can influence statewide policy.

Ask: "Will you support legislation requiring transparency in police radio communications?"

Maine State Legislature

Legislative Branch

Why Contact: The Legislature can pass transparency requirements and strengthen FOAA protections.

  • Find Your Legislator: legislature.maine.gov
  • Joint Judiciary Committee: Handles FOAA and transparency legislation
  • Criminal Justice Committee: Reviews public safety measures
Ask: "Will you sponsor legislation requiring media access to encrypted police communications?"

Maine State Police

Statewide Law Enforcement

Why Contact: Maine State Police maintains unencrypted primary dispatch on MSCOMMNET. Engage to ensure this continues.

Local Government

Lewiston City Council

Second Largest City - Encrypted

Why Contact: Lewiston PD is 100% encrypted on the 800MHz system. The City Council can mandate media access programs.

  • Website: lewistonme.gov
  • Public Comment: City Council meetings allow public testimony
Ask: "Will you require Lewiston PD to create a media access program for encrypted channels?"

Auburn City Council

Twin City - Encrypted

Why Contact: Auburn shares the encrypted system with Lewiston. Joint advocacy may be effective.

Portland City Council

Largest City

Why Contact: Portland is Maine's largest city. Proactive engagement can prevent encryption before it happens.

Bangor City Council

Third Largest City

Why Contact: Bangor hasn't encrypted but has stopped broadcasting addresses. Engage to prevent full encryption.

Media & Press Organizations

Portland Press Herald

Major Newspaper

Why Contact: The Portland Press Herald is Maine's largest newspaper and has a stake in scanner access for breaking news.

Bangor Daily News

Northern Maine Coverage

Why Contact: The Bangor Daily News has statewide reach and has covered encryption-related issues.

News Center Maine (WCSH/WLBZ)

Statewide TV

Why Contact: News Center Maine covers the state from Portland and Bangor studios.

WMTW (Channel 8)

ABC Affiliate

Why Contact: WMTW is the longest-tenured ABC affiliate in New England and covers breaking news extensively.

Maine Public

Public Broadcasting

Why Contact: Maine Public provides in-depth coverage of state government and policy issues.

WGME CBS 13

CBS Affiliate

Why Contact: WGME covers Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, Brunswick, and other Maine communities.

Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) Requests

Strong public records protections

Maine's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) grants broad rights to access public records and proceedings. While there are over 300 statutory exceptions, police radio encryption policies are not typically exempt. Public bodies cannot charge for the first 2 hours of staff time, and fee waivers may be granted if disclosure is "in the public interest."

Maine-Specific FOAA Templates

Template 1: Scanner Harm Documentation

Purpose: Prove there's no evidence scanner access has harmed officers

Pursuant to Maine's Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S. 400-414), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All documented incidents, reports, or investigations where public access to police radio scanner communications resulted in:
    • Injury or harm to any officer or personnel
    • Compromise of any tactical operation
    • Flight or escape of any suspect
    • Interference with any emergency response
    for the period January 1, 2010 through present.

If no responsive records exist, please provide written confirmation of that fact.

No statement of purpose is required under FOAA. Please provide an estimate of time and cost within five days.

Template 2: Encryption Decision Documents

Purpose: Discover who made the encryption decision and whether the public was consulted

Pursuant to Maine's Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S. 400-414), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All internal communications (emails, memos, meeting notes) regarding the decision to encrypt police radio communications.
  2. All city council or public meeting agendas and minutes where radio encryption was discussed.
  3. Any legal opinions or policy analyses regarding encryption.
  4. The 800MHz system contract and all related procurement documents.
  5. Any cost-benefit analyses comparing encryption to alternatives.

I request records from January 1, 2018 through present.

Template 3: Social Media Scanner Page Response

Purpose: Document whether policy changes were driven by social media concerns

Pursuant to Maine's Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S. 400-414), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All internal communications (emails, memos, meeting notes) regarding social media scanner pages and their impact on police operations.
  2. Any documented incidents where social media scanner pages caused operational problems.
  3. Any policies or directives issued regarding information broadcast over police radio in response to social media concerns.
  4. Any correspondence with media organizations regarding access to police communications.

Maine FOAA Tips

  • No written requirement: FOAA doesn't require written requests, but writing is recommended
  • No purpose required: You do not need to explain why you want the records
  • First 2 hours free: Public bodies cannot charge for the first 2 hours of staff time
  • Cost estimates: Agencies should provide time and cost estimates within 5 days (per some local policies)
  • Fee waivers: Available if disclosure is "in the public interest"
  • Appeal to Superior Court: Any aggrieved person may appeal FOAA violations to Superior Court
  • Penalties for violations: Willful violations can result in fines up to $500 (first), $1,000 (second), $2,000 (subsequent)
  • "No records" is evidence: A response of "no responsive records" proves your point about scanner harm

Local Actions: City Council & Police Department

Maine's mixed landscape requires different strategies for different cities

Encrypted Cities: Lewiston & Auburn

The Twin Cities have fully encrypted police radios. Your goal is to establish media access programs or reverse the encryption decision.

Template: Request for Council Agenda Item

Dear Council Member [NAME],

I am writing to request that you agendize a public discussion of [CITY] Police Department's radio encryption policy.

Since implementing the $4.5 million 800MHz encrypted radio system, public and media access to police communications has been eliminated. This affects public safety transparency, emergency information access, and press freedom.

Notably, the Androscoggin County Sheriff's dispatch remains unencrypted, demonstrating that alternatives exist within our community.

I request the Council: (1) Hold a public hearing on encryption's impact, (2) Review whether encryption was properly authorized, and (3) Consider media access programs similar to those in other states.

Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[PHONE/EMAIL]

Twin Cities Tips

  • Joint advocacy - Lewiston and Auburn share the system; coordinate across both cities
  • Cite the Sheriff - Androscoggin County Sheriff's dispatch is unencrypted
  • Fire departments - Fire traffic is still on the old system and accessible
  • $4.5M investment - Question whether taxpayers got transparency in return

Accessible Cities: Portland, Bangor, State Police

Some major Maine agencies remain accessible. Your goal is to preserve this access and prevent encryption.

Key Points for Preservation

  • "Maine State Police remains unencrypted on primary dispatch. Let's keep it that way."
  • "Bangor hasn't encrypted fully - let's ensure it stays accessible."
  • "Portland can learn from the Twin Cities' mistakes."
  • "Proactive engagement prevents reactive encryption decisions."

Prevention Tips

  • Engage before encryption - Don't wait until a decision is made
  • Build relationships - Attend council meetings and meet officials
  • Cite state police - MSP shows that statewide operations work without encryption
  • Address scanner page concerns - Bangor's address-blocking shows middle-ground options exist

Take Action Now

Concrete steps you can take today

1

File FOAA Requests

Use the templates above to request documentation of scanner harm. Maine's first 2 hours free makes this low-cost. Target Lewiston, Auburn, and any city considering encryption.

2

Contact Your Legislators

Find your state Senator and Representative at legislature.maine.gov. Ask them to sponsor legislation requiring media access to encrypted police channels.

3

Engage Local Media

Contact the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, or your local TV station. Media organizations have a direct stake in scanner access.

4

Attend City Council Meetings

Show up at Lewiston, Auburn, Portland, or Bangor city council meetings. Speak during public comment and request formal agenda items on encryption.

5

Preserve State Police Access

Maine State Police remains unencrypted. Engage to ensure this continues and that other agencies don't follow the Twin Cities' path.

6

Build a Statewide Coalition

Connect journalists, First Amendment advocates, volunteer fire departments, and civic groups. Maine's community-oriented culture supports coalition building.

Maine Resources & Links

Everything you need for your advocacy campaign

Government Resources

Media Resources

Activist Playbook

Legal Resources

Take Action for Transparency

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

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Contact Your Representatives

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

Get Started
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Read Case Studies

See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.

View Cases
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Spread Awareness

Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.

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See the Evidence

Review the facts, myths, and research on police radio encryption.

View Evidence
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Public Testimony

Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.

Prepare to Speak
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Download Resources

Get FOIA templates, talking points, and materials for advocacy.

Access Toolkit
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