Social Media Campaign Guide
Platform-Specific Tactics That Work
Different platforms require different approaches. This guide provides platform-specific tactics, sample posts you can customize, and strategies for going viral with your anti-encryption message.
Platform Strategy Overview
Choose the right platform for your audience
Reaches younger voters and has strong viral potential through visual storytelling.
Emotional stories, quick facts, and person-on-the-street reactions perform well here.
Keep videos 15-60 seconds, use trending sounds, and lead with a storytelling hook.
Tech-savvy users who expect detailed discussions and cited sources.
In-depth explanations, AMAs, and sharing FOIA documents.
Post in r/[yourcity], r/news, and r/privacy. Always include evidence and sources.
Homeowners and local voters who care about their immediate neighborhood.
Neighborhood mobilization and driving turnout to council meetings.
Keep framing non-partisan and focused on local safety. Organize events here.
Older voters, community groups, and people already active in local issues.
Creating events, organizing groups, and sharing local news articles.
Use community groups, share relevant articles, and create event pages for meetings.
Journalists, elected officials, media organizations, and activists.
Tagging officials directly, amplifying breaking news, and getting media pickup.
Use thread format, tag reporters and council members, and coordinate hashtags.
Hashtag Coordination
Consistent hashtags help your message get found
Primary hashtags (always use)
Local hashtags (customize)
Replace [City] with your city name, e.g., #DenverTransparency
Issue hashtags (when relevant)
TikTok Tactics
Video scripts and viral content strategies
15-second script: the hook
VIDEO SCRIPT
[Hook - 3 sec]: "The police don't want you to know this..."
[Problem - 5 sec]: "Your city is about to encrypt police radios, blocking the access that saved lives during mass shootings."
[Call to Action - 4 sec]: "Comment your city and I'll tell you if you're affected."
[End - 3 sec]: "Follow for more on police transparency."
Use trending sounds, add text overlays, and encourage comments for engagement.
60-second script: the story
VIDEO SCRIPT
[Hook - 5 sec]: "In Highland Park, people survived a mass shooting because of one thing the police want to take away."
[Context - 15 sec]: "During the 4th of July parade shooting in 2022, residents used police scanners to know where the shooter was, where to run, and when it was safe. Open radio access literally saved lives."
[Problem - 15 sec]: "Now police departments across the country want to encrypt their radios. That means no more real-time access during emergencies. And their reason? They claim criminals use scanners to ambush officers. Except there's zero documented cases of this ever happening."
[Impact - 15 sec]: "In Denver after encryption, people missed wildfire alerts. In Chicago, there's a 30-minute delay that makes it useless for breaking news. Parents during school lockdowns? Left in the dark."
[CTA - 10 sec]: "If your city is considering encryption, go to a council meeting and speak up. Link in bio to find out your status and get templates."
Viral content ideas
- "POV: You're a parent during a school lockdown and police just encrypted their radios"
- Duet or stitch a pro-encryption argument and respond with facts
- Share personal stories of scanner use during emergencies
- Quick myth-vs-fact debunks with text overlays
- "Things [City] residents need to know about police encryption"
Reddit Tactics
Engaging communities and building support
Target subreddits
- r/[YourCity] — the local community subreddit is most important
- r/news — when there's a current news hook
- r/privacy — the irony that encryption reduces public oversight resonates here
- r/journalism — press freedom angle
- r/AmateurRadio — technical community with many scanner users
- r/Firefighting — interoperability concerns
Sample post title formats
"[City] is considering encrypting police radios - here's why that's a problem"
"TIL that police encryption in [City] means no more real-time emergency info"
"Palo Alto reversed their encryption decision after public pressure - here's how they did it"
"Police claim scanners endanger officers, but no department has found a single documented case"
Comment strategy
- Lead with evidence — link to FOIA results showing zero scanner-related harm
- Reference Highland Park, Denver, and Chicago as concrete examples
- Acknowledge nuance — support tactical encryption, oppose blanket encryption
- Avoid partisan framing, this is a public safety issue
- Be prepared to explain hybrid system alternatives when asked
Nextdoor Tactics
Mobilizing your neighbors
Sample Nextdoor post
Neighbors - Important City Council Meeting About Police Radios
Hi neighbors,
I wanted to share that [CITY] is considering encrypting all police radio communications. This would mean that during emergencies, we would no longer have access to real-time information about what's happening in our neighborhoods.
Many of us use scanner apps to:
- Know what's happening during emergencies
- Get info during school lockdowns
- Understand why there are police in our neighborhood
- Stay informed during severe weather or fires
The city council is discussing this at their [DATE] meeting. If you're concerned about losing this access, consider attending or submitting public comment.
I'm happy to share more information if anyone has questions. This isn't about being for or against police - it's about maintaining the community access we've had for decades.
Keep it non-partisan, focus on neighborhood safety, and invite questions rather than lecturing.
Do's
- Focus on local safety and community
- Mention specific local events or meetings
- Offer to answer questions
- Share factual information with sources
- Organize carpool to council meetings
Don'ts
- Make it partisan or political
- Attack police or officials personally
- Post too frequently (looks like spam)
- Argue in comments - stay factual
- Share unverified information
Twitter/X Tactics
Reaching journalists and officials
Thread template
[CITY] is about to encrypt police radios. This would eliminate the public access that helped people survive the Highland Park shooting.
Here's why this matters and what you can do about it:
During the 2022 Highland Park parade shooting, residents used police scanners to know where the shooter was, where to run, and when it was safe.
Open radio access saved lives that day.
Police claim encryption protects officers from criminals who monitor scanners.
But when Palo Alto searched 3 years of records, they found ZERO documented cases of scanner access harming officers.
The problem doesn't exist.
What does exist:
- Denver: Residents missed wildfire alerts after encryption
- Chicago: 30-min delay makes scanners "almost useless"
- Everywhere: Parents left in the dark during school emergencies
Better alternatives exist:
- Hybrid systems (encrypt tactical, keep dispatch open)
- Badge numbers instead of names (CHP does this)
- Brief delays for sensitive info only
The [CITY] council is voting on this [DATE].
If you care about public safety and transparency:
- Attend the meeting
- Submit public comment
- Contact your council member
Templates and info: policeradioencryption.com
Tagging strategy
Research who has covered encryption before — they're more likely to engage.
Engagement tactics
- Quote-tweet local news articles with your analysis
- Reply to officials' posts about public safety
- Share FOIA results and documents
- Live-tweet council meetings
- Create polls asking followers their views
Timing and Coordination
When to post for maximum impact
Best posting times
- Twitter/X: 8-10 AM, 12-1 PM, 5-6 PM on weekdays
- Facebook: 1-4 PM weekdays, 12-1 PM weekends
- TikTok: 7-9 PM, especially Tuesday through Thursday
- Reddit: 6-8 AM EST for front page potential
- Nextdoor: evenings and weekends when neighbors check in
Campaign coordination
- Three days before a council meeting: start the social media push
- Day before: reminder posts with location and time
- Day of: live updates to encourage attendance
- After the meeting: share outcomes and next steps
News hooks
- When local media covers encryption
- After relevant incidents (mass shootings, emergencies)
- Council meeting announcements
- Budget discussions
- New police chief appointments
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