Police Department Partially Encrypted

South Gate Police

Los Angeles, California

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (15% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
20 Total Talkgroups
3 Encrypted
17 Unencrypted
15% Encrypted
Radio System: Nextel (Santiago), Shell (Carson), United States Department of Defense (14C), National Science and Technology Network (Rancho Palos Verdes 1), National Science and Technology Network (Mount Lukens 2), National Science and Technology Network (Mt. Lukens, Oat, Sierra), Touch Tel Mobile (217 MHz LA Basin), Phillips 66 Refineries, SoFi Stadium, Ramirez Electronics (Lukens), United Airlines DT3
View 3 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
27234 NNSY GATESEC Gate Security Encrypted
27012 NSA JFSC NSA Joint Forces Staff College Gate Security Encrypted
15 CSC ENTRY CSC Security Entry Gate Encrypted

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for South Gate 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 South Gate 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.

Shared Radio System

Worth knowing before reading this as specific to South Gate Police: Nextel (Santiago) / Shell (Carson) / United States Department of Defense (14C) / National Science and Technology Network (Rancho Palos Verdes 1) / National Science and Technology Network (Mount Lukens 2) / National Science and Technology Network (Mt. Lukens, Oat, Sierra) / Touch Tel Mobile (217 MHz LA Basin) / Phillips 66 Refineries / SoFi Stadium / Ramirez Electronics (Lukens) / United Airlines DT3 is shared county-wide or regional infrastructure, also used by 0 other agencies in Los Angeles County — one radio system, several agency pages.

Los Angeles County Context

Los Angeles County is a mixed picture: 22 of 46 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (48%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.

What This Means

This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

See encryption status nationwide Interactive map showing which US police departments have encrypted their radios. Open the encryption map →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Gate Police radio encrypted?

South Gate Police is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

Can I listen to South Gate Police on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists South Gate 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 South Gate Police encrypt their radio?

Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Los Angeles County-specific evidence that open communications ever caused a problem, while the loss of public oversight and the friction with still-unencrypted neighboring agencies are both immediate and real.

Can Los Angeles County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.

What can I do about South Gate Police encryption?

Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for South Gate Police, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from Los Angeles County with you.

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