New York Action Guide
Fight Police Radio Encryption in the Empire State
New York is ground zero for the fight over police transparency. NYC won Local Law 46 requiring press access. Governor Hochul vetoed state legislation. NYPD spent $390 million on encryption. Here's how to fight back.
New York's Encryption Landscape
Understanding where we are and what's at stake
NYC Local Law 46
January 2026: First major U.S. city to mandate press access to encrypted police radio. NYPD must provide real-time access to credentialed journalists.
Read the full storyState Bill Vetoed
January 2026: Governor Hochul vetoed S.1265/A.2037, which would have required statewide press access. The fight must continue in Albany.
Veto analysisNYPD's $390M System
The largest police encryption project in U.S. history. Started in Brooklyn in July 2023, now citywide. Ended 92 years of open communications.
Full breakdownUpstate Still Vulnerable
Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and smaller agencies are watching NYC. Without state legislation, each could encrypt unilaterally.
How NYC Won Local Law 46
Lessons learned from America's first major city to mandate press access
What Made It Work
Unified Media Coalition
14 news organizations formed the New York Media Consortium, speaking with one voice. The coalition included the New York News Guild, NY Press Photographers Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists Deadline Club.
City Council Champion
Manhattan Council Member Gale Brewer introduced Int. 1460-2025 and shepherded it through committee. Finding a legislative champion is essential.
Overwhelming Vote
Public Safety Committee approved 9-0. Full Council passed 41-7. This veto-proof margin meant Mayor Adams couldn't stop it even without signing.
Local Focus
While the state bill required one executive's signature (Hochul vetoed), the city law only needed council votes. Local officials face more direct constituent pressure.
What Local Law 46 Requires
- Press Access: NYPD must provide real-time radio access to credentialed journalists
- Public Channel: Critical incidents broadcast on unencrypted citywide channel
- 180-Day Timeline: NYPD must publish implementation proposal with 45-day public comment
- Full Implementation: Press access required within one year of enactment
Key Contacts
State legislators, city officials, and advocacy allies
State Legislature (S.1265/A.2037 Supporters)
These legislators supported the vetoed bill and may reintroduce it:
Sen. James Skoufis
Senate bill sponsor (S.1265)
skoufis@nysenate.gov
(845) 567-1270 (District)
Assembly Member Amy Paulin
Assembly bill sponsor (A.2037)
paulina@nyassembly.gov
(914) 723-1115 (District)
NYC Council (Local Law 46 Champions)
CM Gale Brewer
Local Law 46 prime sponsor (Manhattan)
District6@council.nyc.gov
(212) 788-6975
Public Safety Committee
Voted 9-0 for Local Law 46
Council.nyc.gov/committees
NYPD Media Relations
Deputy Commissioner of Public Information
Press credential applications and access requests
dcpi@nypd.org
(646) 610-6700
Advocacy Organizations
New York Media Consortium
Coalition that won Local Law 46
Contact via NY News Guild
NYCLU
New York Civil Liberties Union
nyclu.org
NY News Guild
Journalists' union representing 3,000+ members
nyguild.org
Legislative Actions
Revive state legislation and strengthen local protections
Revive State Legislation After Veto
Governor Hochul vetoed S.1265/A.2037 in January 2026. The bill must be reintroduced in the next session.
What You Can Do:
- Contact your state legislators - Ask them to co-sponsor the reintroduced bill
- Write to Governor Hochul - Express disappointment and demand she reconsider
- Organize constituent pressure - Letters from local media, fire/EMS, and community groups carry weight
- Document encryption impacts - Collect stories of how encryption harmed local journalism or emergency response
Governor's Office
governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
(518) 474-8390
Support Local Law 46 Implementation
The law is enacted, but implementation is where the details matter. NYPD has 180 days to publish its proposal.
What You Can Do:
- Monitor NYPD's proposal - Watch for the implementation plan and attend public comment hearings
- Submit public comments - Push for broad definitions of "credentialed journalist" and minimal exceptions
- Contact Council Member Brewer - Report any implementation delays or problems
Push Other NY Cities to Follow NYC
Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany could pass similar local laws before state legislation succeeds.
What You Can Do:
- Share the NYC model - Local Law 46 provides a template for other cities
- Find local sponsors - Identify city council members who support transparency
- Build local coalitions - Connect local journalists, civil liberties groups, and community organizations
Local Actions Outside NYC
Fighting encryption at the county and municipal level
Fighting County-Level Encryption
Many New York counties control their own radio systems. Sheriff's offices often make encryption decisions independently.
County Advocacy Steps:
- Identify who controls radio decisions (sheriff, county legislature, public safety committee)
- Attend county legislature meetings and request to speak during public comment
- File FOIL requests for encryption plans, costs, and communications
- Build coalitions with county fire departments who rely on interoperability
- Connect with local newspaper editorial boards
Engaging Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
Elected sheriffs are accountable to voters. Appointed police chiefs answer to mayors and city councils.
Engagement Strategies:
- Request meetings to discuss transparency concerns before encryption is proposed
- Propose hybrid alternatives (open dispatch, encrypted tactical)
- Offer to support media access policies that address legitimate concerns
- Remind elected sheriffs that transparency is a campaign issue
- Document any public statements about encryption plans
Upstate Cities to Watch
These major upstate departments have not fully encrypted and could be influenced by local advocacy:
New York FOIL Request Guidance
Freedom of Information Law requests specific to New York
New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) gives you the right to request government records. Use these requests to uncover encryption plans, costs, and the decision-making process.
Scanner Harm Documentation Request
Purpose: Prove there's no evidence scanner access has ever caused harm
To the Records Access Officer:
Under New York Public Officers Law Article 6 (Freedom of Information Law), I request:
- All documented incidents where public access to police radio (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
Time period: January 1, 2019 to present
If no responsive records exist, please confirm in writing.
Encryption Cost Request
Purpose: Document the full cost of encryption systems
Under FOIL, I request:
- All budget proposals, appropriations, and expenditures related to police radio encryption
- Vendor contracts, quotes, and proposals for encrypted radio systems
- Grant applications and awards used to fund encryption
- Ongoing maintenance and subscription costs
Decision Process Request
Purpose: Expose who decided to encrypt and what alternatives were considered
Under FOIL, I request:
- All communications between department personnel regarding encryption (emails, memos, meeting notes)
- Communications with elected officials about encryption
- Any public notice or community engagement regarding encryption
- Analysis of alternatives to full encryption (hybrid systems, media access)
New York FOIL Tips
- Response time: Agencies must respond within 5 business days acknowledging your request. If they need more time, they have up to 20 additional business days.
- Appeal process: If denied, you can appeal within 30 days. The agency must respond to your appeal within 10 business days.
- Committee on Open Government: New York has a Committee on Open Government that provides free advisory opinions. Contact them at (518) 474-2518 or opengovernment@dos.ny.gov.
- No fees for electronic records: Agencies cannot charge for records provided electronically if they already exist in electronic format.
Media Contacts and Allies
Organizations and journalists who can amplify your campaign
Press Freedom Organizations
New York News Guild
Key member of the coalition that won Local Law 46. Represents journalists at major outlets.
nyguild.org
Society of Professional Journalists - Deadline Club
NYC chapter actively advocated for Local Law 46.
deadlineclub.org
NY Press Photographers Association
Coalition member representing photojournalists who rely on scanner access.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
National organization with strong NY presence. Legal expertise on press access issues.
rcfp.org
Civil Liberties Groups
NYCLU
New York affiliate of ACLU. Strong on police accountability and transparency issues.
nyclu.org
LatinoJustice PRLDEF
Civil rights organization with focus on police accountability in communities of color.
Journalism Organizations
New York Press Association
Represents newspapers across New York State, including upstate dailies and weeklies.
nynewspapers.com
New York State Associated Press
AP member organization with statewide reach.
Resources and Next Steps
Everything you need to take action in New York
NYC Local Law 46 Analysis
How the law passed and what it requires
Hochul Veto Analysis
Why the state bill failed and what's next
NYPD $390M Encryption
The system that started the fight
FOIA/FOIL 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 local adoption
New York Already Won Once. Now Win Everywhere.
NYC's Local Law 46 proves that organized advocacy works. The same tactics that won in the nation's largest city can work in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and every county in New York. Use this guide to start your campaign today.