Barstow Police
San Bernardino, California
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 5 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2635 | SBdSD DCC-3 | Barstow (Sta 8)/Apple Valley (Sta 18) Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 2377 | CSUSBPD1 | Police Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 1299 | SBPD-1 | Police Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 1301 | SBPD-2 | Police Tactical | Encrypted |
| 1303 | SBPD-3 | Police Tactical | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Barstow Police from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.
If you monitor Barstow Police directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.
San Bernardino County Context
San Bernardino County is a mixed picture: 4 of 10 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (40%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in San Bernardino County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barstow Police radio encrypted?
Our database lists Barstow Police as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Barstow Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Barstow Police as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Barstow Police encrypt their radio?
Agencies cite officer safety and operational security. Those are assertions rather than findings — no local evidence is typically produced — while the effects are concrete and land straight away on anyone who relied on hearing Barstow Police to know what was happening nearby.
Can San Bernardino County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Barstow Police operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about Barstow Police encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Barstow Police's radio budget: why full encryption rather than a delayed feed or tactical-only channels? File for the recordings and the decision documents alongside it, and link up with neighbours and local reporters in San Bernardino County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.