Coal City Police
Grundy, Illinois
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 2 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36029 | Grundy GC LE 1 | Sheriff, Seneca, Coal City, Mazon Police: Dispatch [Police 1] | Encrypted |
| 36030 | Grundy GC LE 2 | Sheriff, Seneca, Coal City, Mazon Police: Dispatch [Police 2] | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Coal City 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 Coal City 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.
Grundy County Context
Grundy County is a mixed picture: 1 of 5 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (20%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Grundy County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency is listed as encrypting specific talkgroups or channels, with other communications possibly still audible. The listing is unverified — confirm at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coal City Police radio encrypted?
Coal City 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 specific talkgroups or channels, with other communications possibly still audible. The listing is unverified — confirm at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Coal City Police on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Coal City Police as encrypting specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Coal City Police encrypt their radio?
Ask why, and the answer is usually officer safety, sometimes operational security. What is harder to obtain is any documented case in Grundy County where an open channel caused harm. The costs need no such documentation: reporting on police department response slows down, and mutual-aid coordination gets more awkward, immediately.
Can Grundy County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Coal City Police can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.
What can I do about Coal City Police encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Coal City 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 Grundy County with you.