Media Strategy
Generate Coverage That Moves Officials
Media coverage creates political pressure. When encryption becomes a public controversy, officials can't make quiet decisions. Use these tactics to ensure your community knows what's at stake.
Op-Ed Template
Submit to your local newspaper opinion page
Ready-to-Customize Op-Ed
~600 wordsSuggested headline:
"Police Radio Encryption Would Make [CITY] Less Safe, Not More"
When the Highland Park shooter opened fire on a July 4th parade in 2022, police scanner access helped residents take cover. People knew in real-time where the shooter was, where to run, and when it was safe. Open police radio communications saved lives that day.
[CITY]'s police department wants to eliminate that life-saving access by encrypting their radio system. This would be a dangerous mistake.
The claimed justification—officer safety—has no documented evidence behind it. When Palo Alto, California searched three years of police records for any incident where scanner access harmed officers, they found zero cases. Zero. The problem encryption supposedly solves does not exist.
What does exist is a clear threat to public safety. After Denver encrypted their police radio, residents missed real-time alerts during wildfires and active shooter incidents. Chicago's 30-minute scanner delay makes the information "almost useless" for breaking news, according to local journalists.
This isn't just about journalism—though encryption devastates the ability of news organizations to cover breaking events. It's about parents who monitor scanners during school lockdowns. Volunteer firefighters who need situational awareness. Residents during emergencies who depend on real-time information when official alerts arrive too late.
Better solutions exist. Many law enforcement agencies use "hybrid" systems that encrypt tactical operations while keeping routine dispatch open. This approach protects genuinely sensitive information without eliminating community access. The California Highway Patrol protects officer identities without encryption by simply broadcasting badge numbers instead of names.
Before [CITY] spends [ESTIMATED COST] on encryption, officials should demand evidence that the claimed benefits are real. They should hear from the community about what would be lost. And they should consider alternatives that serve everyone's interests.
Transparency and public safety are not opposites. Open police communications have protected communities for decades. Eliminating that access would make [CITY] less safe, not more.
[YOUR NAME] is a [RESIDENT/COMMUNITY ROLE] in [CITY].
Submission Tips
- Keep to 600-750 words (check your paper's requirements)
- Include your full name, address, phone for verification
- Mention your local connection: resident, parent, professional
- Submit via email to opinions/letters editor
- Include "Op-Ed Submission" in subject line
- Follow up in 3-5 days if no response
Letter to the Editor Template
Shorter format, higher chance of publication
Response Letter Template
~150 wordsRegarding [ARTICLE/TOPIC about encryption]:
Before [CITY] police encrypt their radio system, they should be required to document a single case where scanner access has ever harmed an officer. Multiple departments have searched their records and found zero.
What we do have evidence for: At Highland Park, open scanners helped people survive a mass shooting. In Denver, encryption meant residents missed wildfire alerts. In Chicago, 30-minute delays make scanner access "almost useless."
Encryption solves a problem that doesn't exist while creating real dangers. Better alternatives exist—hybrid systems protect tactical operations while preserving public access. [CITY] should explore those options before spending [COST] on secrecy.
[YOUR NAME]
[CITY]
When to Use Letters
- Responding to a recent news article about encryption
- Coordinating multiple letters from coalition members
- When op-ed space is competitive or unavailable
- Sustaining visibility over multiple weeks
Press Release Template
Announce coalition formation or FOIA findings
Coalition Announcement Template
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [NAME], [PHONE], [EMAIL]
Community Coalition Opposes [CITY] Police Radio Encryption
Groups cite public safety concerns, lack of evidence for encryption benefits
[CITY, STATE] — A coalition of [DESCRIBE GROUPS: journalists, civil liberties organizations, community groups, etc.] today announced opposition to [CITY] police department's proposal to encrypt radio communications.
"Encryption would eliminate the real-time emergency information that has helped communities survive shootings, wildfires, and other emergencies," said [SPOKESPERSON NAME], [TITLE/AFFILIATION]. "The claimed benefits have no documented evidence behind them."
The coalition is calling on [CITY COUNCIL/DECISION MAKER] to:
- Hold a public hearing before any encryption decision
- Demand documented evidence of scanner-related harm to officers
- Consider hybrid alternatives that preserve public access
[INCLUDE ADDITIONAL QUOTE FROM DIFFERENT COALITION MEMBER]
A public records request filed by the coalition seeks documentation of any incident where scanner access caused officer harm. Similar requests in other jurisdictions have returned no responsive records.
###
[ABOUT COALITION]: [Brief description of member organizations]
Reporter Pitch Guide
How to get journalists interested in covering the story
Who to Contact
- TV stations: Assignment desk or news director
- Newspapers: City hall/police beat reporter
- Radio: News director or morning show producer
- Online outlets: Editor or specific beat writer
What Makes It Newsworthy
- Conflict: Community vs. police department
- Impact: Affects every resident's safety
- Money: [COST] spent with no proven benefit
- Timing: Decision coming soon at council meeting
- Documents: FOIA results showing zero harm cases
Sample Email Pitch
Subject: Story tip: Police encryption proposal faces community opposition
Hi [REPORTER NAME],
I wanted to alert you to a developing story: [CITY] police are proposing to encrypt their radio communications, which would eliminate public access to real-time emergency information.
A community coalition is organizing opposition. Key angles:
- FOIA request found zero documented cases of scanner access harming officers
- [COST] price tag with no proven benefit
- Fire department has expressed interoperability concerns
- Decision expected at [DATE] council meeting
I can connect you with coalition spokespeople including [JOURNALIST/FIRE OFFICIAL/COMMUNITY LEADER]. Happy to provide background documents.
[Your name and contact]
Editorial Board Briefing
Request a meeting to seek editorial support
How to Request a Meeting
Email the editorial page editor requesting a briefing. Explain that you represent a community coalition concerned about a significant policy decision. Offer to present evidence and answer questions.
Sample request: "We'd like to brief your editorial board on the police encryption proposal before the [DATE] council vote. We have evidence and can answer questions about alternatives."
What to Bring
- One-page summary of key facts
- FOIA results (especially "no responsive records")
- Cost documentation
- Highland Park and other case examples
- Information on hybrid alternatives
- List of coalition members
Key Talking Points
- Zero documented evidence of scanner harm to officers
- Real evidence of public safety value (Highland Park)
- High cost with no proven ROI
- Better alternatives exist (hybrid systems)
- This affects every resident, not just "scanner hobbyists"
What to Ask For
- Editorial opposing full encryption
- Editorial calling for public hearing before decision
- News coverage of the issue
- Op-ed space for coalition member
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