Activism Toolkit
Everything You Need in One Place
Print-friendly resources, ready-to-use templates, and quick reference guides. Use the button below to print this entire page or save it as a PDF.
Quick Start Checklist
The essential actions for any anti-encryption campaign
Week 1: Intelligence Gathering
- File FOIA request for scanner-related officer harm incidents
- File FOIA request for encryption cost documents
- Identify key council members and their positions
- Find local journalists who cover public safety
- Locate next city council meeting date
Week 2: Coalition Building
- Contact local newspaper editorial board
- Reach out to fire/EMS union or leadership
- Connect with local ACLU chapter
- Identify parents/community groups to recruit
- Draft coalition letter template
Week 3: Public Campaign
- Submit op-ed to local newspaper
- Prepare 2-minute public testimony
- Coordinate coalition members for council meeting
- Launch social media campaign with hashtags
- Schedule meeting with sympathetic council member
Template Library
Ready-to-use templates organized by purpose
FOIA Templates
4 ready-to-file public records requests to expose the lack of evidence for encryption.
- Scanner harm incident request
- Encryption cost documents
- Decision communications
- Media access policies
Testimony Scripts
2-minute scripts for council meetings with angle-specific variations.
- General opposition script
- Parent safety angle
- Journalist perspective
- Fire/EMS concerns
Media Templates
Op-eds, letters to editor, press releases, and reporter pitch guides.
- 600-word op-ed template
- 150-word letter to editor
- Press release template
- Story pitch angles
Lobbying Templates
Meeting request emails, talking points, and one-pager leave-behinds.
- Meeting request email
- One-pager for officials
- Framing by official type
- Champion recruitment
Coalition Building
Ally recruitment scripts, coalition management, and partnership templates.
- Priority ally list
- Recruitment scripts
- Coalition letter template
- Meeting agenda template
Legal Templates
FOIA appeal letters, demand letters, and civil rights attorney resources.
- FOIA appeal template
- Demand letter to chief
- First Amendment arguments
- Legal resource directory
One-Pager Fact Sheets
Print these and bring to meetings
Why Police Radio Encryption is Dangerous
1 page - Print and distributeThe core problem
Police encryption eliminates real-time public access to police communications that communities have relied on for decades. This affects public safety, journalism, and democratic oversight.
Key evidence
- Zero documented cases of scanner access harming officers (Palo Alto searched 3 years of records)
- Highland Park 2022: Open scanners helped civilians take cover during mass shooting
- Denver post-encryption: Residents missed real-time wildfire and active shooter alerts
- Chicago 30-minute delay: Makes scanner access "almost useless" for breaking news
Who opposes encryption
- Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) - ranked #1 threat to journalism
- NAACP - calls encryption "another brick in the wall" of police secrecy
- Fire/EMS unions - interoperability concerns
- Colorado, California, New York legislators
Better alternatives exist
- Hybrid systems: encrypt tactical channels, keep dispatch open
- Badge numbers instead of names (CHP model)
- Brief delays for sensitive information only
Police Scanner Myths vs Facts
1 page - Print and distributeThe Cost of Police Encryption
1 page - Print and distributeReal-world costs
- NYPD: $390 million over 5 years
- Denver: $31.5 million initial + ongoing maintenance
- Typical mid-size city: $2-5 million for full P25 encryption
- Ongoing costs: Key management, equipment upgrades, training
Hidden costs
- Fire/EMS interoperability workarounds
- Media relations deterioration
- Community trust erosion
- Increased FOIA litigation
Return on investment
Documented cases of scanner access harming officers: ZERO
Millions spent solving a problem that doesn't exist while creating real public safety risks.
Questions to ask
- What is the total 5-year cost including maintenance?
- How many documented scanner-related officer harm incidents justify this cost?
- What alternatives were considered and at what cost?
- Will fire/EMS need separate equipment upgrades?
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