Maryland Action Guide
Fight Police Radio Encryption in the Old Line State
Maryland sits at a crossroads. Baltimore implemented a 15-minute delay model that proves alternatives exist. Montgomery County is pushing toward full encryption in the DC suburbs. Many counties remain open. Your action now determines whether Maryland becomes a model for compromise or another state that went dark.
Maryland's Encryption Landscape
Understanding the three-part battle: Baltimore's compromise, Montgomery's push, and open counties to defend
Baltimore: 15-Min Delay Model
Since July 2023, Baltimore provides a 15-minute delayed feed through Broadcastify. Not perfect, but proves alternatives to full encryption exist. A model worth defending and improving.
Baltimore case studyMontgomery County: Active Fight
The most populous MD county is in final phases of encryption. This DC suburb's decision affects the entire metro region. The window to act is closing.
Montgomery County case studyOther Counties: Mostly Open
Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Howard, Frederick, and most other counties maintain open radio access. Defend what exists before it's gone.
State Police: Mixed
Maryland State Police operates on multiple systems with varying encryption status. Statewide legislative action could establish transparency standards.
Baltimore's Delay Model: A Compromise Worth Understanding
The 15-minute delay proves alternatives exist, but has significant limitations
What Baltimore Chose
15-Minute Public Delay
Rather than full encryption, Baltimore broadcasts police communications with a 15-minute delay through Broadcastify. Anyone can access the delayed feed.
No Credential System
Unlike media access programs requiring credentials, Baltimore's delay model treats all members of the public equally. No journalist badges needed.
Lower Implementation Cost
Delay systems are simpler than encryption key management. This matters for budget arguments against full encryption.
Information Eventually Public
Unlike encryption where information is permanently hidden, delays ensure all communications eventually reach the public record.
Why the Delay Model Still Falls Short
Breaking News Blocked
Fifteen minutes is an eternity for breaking news. Journalists cannot provide real-time coverage of unfolding incidents.
Emergency Awareness Delayed
Parents can't learn about school lockdowns in real time. Residents can't make immediate evacuation decisions.
Accountability Gaps
Real-time monitoring catches misconduct as it happens. Delays give time for narratives to be shaped before public awareness.
Consent Decree Irony
Baltimore is under a federal consent decree requiring transparency reforms. Yet they implemented a system that delays public access.
Advocacy Position on Delays
A 15-minute delay is better than full encryption, but it's not the goal. Use Baltimore's model as evidence that alternatives exist, then push for shorter delays (5 minutes or less) or hybrid systems that keep main dispatch channels fully open. The existence of the delay model undermines claims that only full encryption can address operational concerns.
Maryland Public Information Act Guidance
Your right to government records in the Free State
Maryland's Public Information Act (MPIA) gives you the right to request government records. The Act presumes records are public unless a specific exemption applies. Use these templates to uncover encryption plans and expose the lack of evidence for scanner harm.
Scanner Harm Documentation Request
Purpose: Prove there's no evidence that scanner access has ever caused harm to officers or operations
To the MPIA Coordinator:
Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (General Provisions Article, Title 4), I request:
- All documented incidents where public access to police radio communications (via scanner, online stream, or other means) resulted in injury to any officer, compromise of any operation, or any other documented negative outcome
- Any studies, assessments, or analyses regarding risks from public scanner access
- All internal communications citing scanner access as justification for encryption or delay systems
Time period: January 1, 2019 to present
If no responsive records exist, please confirm in writing pursuant to GP 4-301.
Encryption Cost and Planning Request
Purpose: Document the full cost and decision-making process
Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I request:
- All budget proposals, appropriations, and expenditures related to police radio encryption or delay systems
- Vendor contracts, quotes, and proposals for encrypted radio systems or delay technology
- Meeting minutes, memos, and communications regarding encryption policy decisions
- Any analysis of alternatives to encryption (hybrid systems, delay models, media access programs)
Interoperability Assessment Request
Purpose: Expose coordination concerns with fire/EMS and neighboring jurisdictions
Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I request:
- Any assessments or communications regarding interoperability between police, fire, and EMS following encryption implementation
- Communications with neighboring jurisdictions (including DC and Virginia agencies) regarding encryption coordination
- Any documented incidents where encryption created communication barriers during multi-agency responses
Maryland MPIA Tips
- Response time: Agencies must respond within 30 days (can be extended for complex requests with explanation)
- Fee waivers: Request fee waivers for requests in the public interest. Journalists and nonprofits often qualify.
- Denial appeals: If denied, you can file a complaint with the State Public Information Act Compliance Board
- Compliance Board: Maryland has a dedicated board that reviews MPIA disputes: (410) 946-5500
- Electronic records: Request records in electronic format to reduce copying fees
- Partial disclosure: If some records are exempt, agencies must still provide non-exempt portions
Key Contacts
State legislators, local councils, and county executives with authority over encryption decisions
Maryland General Assembly
State legislators can introduce transparency legislation:
Find Your Legislators
Enter your address to find your state delegate and senator
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District
House Judiciary Committee
Oversees law enforcement policy and public safety legislation
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details?cmte=jud
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Reviews criminal justice and police oversight legislation
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details?cmte=jpr
Baltimore City
Baltimore City Council
Oversight authority over Baltimore Police Department policies
baltimorecitycouncil.com
(410) 396-4804
Mayor's Office
Executive authority over BPD and consent decree compliance
mayor.baltimorecity.gov
Civilian Review Board
Police accountability body - raise encryption as transparency issue
civilrights.baltimorecity.gov/civilian-review-board
Montgomery County
Active encryption fight - contact now:
Montgomery County Council
Final authority on encryption policy decisions
montgomerycountymd.gov/council
(240) 777-7900
Public Safety Committee
Reviews police communications policy - key advocacy target
montgomerycountymd.gov/council/committees
County Executive
Executive authority over county police department
montgomerycountymd.gov/exec
Other Key Counties
Prince George's County
DC suburb with significant population - defend open status
princegeorgescountymd.gov/council
Anne Arundel County
Annapolis area - home to state capital
aacounty.org/county-council
Howard County
Central Maryland - between Baltimore and DC
howardcountymd.gov/council
Baltimore County
Surrounds Baltimore City - distinct jurisdiction
baltimorecountymd.gov/council
DC Metro Area Coordination
Maryland is part of a multi-jurisdictional region requiring coordinated advocacy
The Regional Challenge
The Washington DC metropolitan area includes jurisdictions from three distinct governments:
- Maryland: Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and portions of other counties
- Virginia: Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria, and other Northern Virginia jurisdictions
- District of Columbia: Metropolitan Police Department and other DC agencies
When one major jurisdiction encrypts, it creates pressure on neighbors to follow and raises interoperability questions for regional emergency response.
Regional Coordination Opportunities
- Cross-border coalition: Connect Maryland advocates with DC and Virginia transparency groups for regional advocacy
- Media market leverage: DC-area media outlets cover all three jurisdictions - their advocacy carries regional weight
- Interoperability argument: Use regional coordination challenges as evidence against patchwork encryption decisions
- Federal interest: Congressional staff in the DC area may be interested in transparency issues affecting their constituents
Regional Organizations to Engage
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Regional coordination body that addresses cross-jurisdictional public safety issues
National Capital Region Emergency Preparedness Council
Coordinates emergency response across the DC metro area - interoperability concerns are relevant here
Media Contacts and Press Allies
Regional journalism organizations that can amplify your campaign
Regional Press Organizations
Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association
The primary press freedom organization for the region. Represents newspapers and digital news organizations across Maryland, Delaware, and DC. Key ally for scanner access advocacy.
mddc.press
Society of Professional Journalists - DC Chapter
Regional chapter covering DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Active on press freedom issues affecting the capital region.
spjdc.org
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
National organization headquartered in DC with particular interest in capital region issues. Free legal defense hotline: (800) 336-4243
rcfp.org
Major News Organizations
The Baltimore Sun
Maryland's largest newspaper. Has covered police accountability extensively, especially consent decree compliance.
baltimoresun.com
The Washington Post
Covers Maryland suburbs as part of DC metro beat. National influence on transparency issues.
washingtonpost.com
WBAL-TV / WMAR-TV / WJZ-TV
Baltimore TV stations with investigative units. Scanner access directly affects their breaking news coverage.
WYPR (Baltimore NPR)
Public radio covering Baltimore and central Maryland. Strong investigative journalism tradition.
wypr.org
WTOP / WAMU (DC)
Major DC radio outlets covering Maryland suburbs. Breaking news operations depend on scanner access.
Civil Liberties Organizations
ACLU of Maryland
Called Baltimore's encryption plans "a gigantic step backwards." Active on police accountability and transparency.
aclu-md.org
Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability
Coalition of organizations focused on police reform and oversight in Maryland.
Take Action in Maryland
Concrete steps you can take this week
Stop Montgomery County Encryption
Montgomery County is in the final phase of encryption. The Council's Public Safety Committee has signaled support. Time is running out.
- Contact your County Council member immediately
- Attend the next Public Safety Committee meeting
- Submit written testimony opposing encryption
- Coordinate with DC-area media organizations
- File MPIA requests for encryption planning documents
Defend and Improve Baltimore's Model
Baltimore's 15-minute delay is better than encryption, but there's room to advocate for improvements.
- Push for shorter delays (5 minutes or less)
- Advocate for open main dispatch channels with encrypted tactical only
- Use MPIA to request effectiveness data on the delay system
- Connect delay model to consent decree transparency requirements
Protect Open Counties
Many Maryland counties still have open scanner access. Defend what exists before it's targeted.
- Identify your county's current encryption status
- Build relationships with local council members now
- Monitor council agendas for encryption discussions
- Prepare talking points before you need them
Push for State Legislation
Maryland's General Assembly could establish statewide transparency standards.
- Contact your state delegate and senator
- Request meetings with House Judiciary Committee members
- Propose legislation requiring press access or public channels
- Cite Colorado's HB21-1250 and NYC's Local Law 46 as models
Resources and Next Steps
Everything you need to take action in Maryland
Maryland State Analysis
Full breakdown of encryption status across the state
Baltimore Case Study
Consent decree city that implemented a delay model
Montgomery County Case Study
DC suburb in the final phase of encryption
FOIA/MPIA Templates
Ready-to-file public records requests
90-Day Campaign Timeline
Week-by-week action plan
Coalition Building Guide
Recruit allies for your campaign
Public Testimony Scripts
Ready-to-use council meeting statements
Model Legislation
Template bills for state adoption
Maryland Has Two Models. Which Will Win?
Baltimore chose a delay compromise. Montgomery County is choosing full encryption. What happens in Maryland over the next year will determine whether the state becomes a model for balanced approaches or another example of how quickly transparency can disappear. The choice depends on whether advocates organize now.