Police Department Partially Encrypted

Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm

Lake, Illinois

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (60% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
5 Total Talkgroups
3 Encrypted
2 Unencrypted
60% Encrypted
Radio System: STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois
View 3 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
3451 NERCOM E Police Police: Dispatch-Fox River Grove, Johnsburg, McCullom Lake, McHenry Encrypted
33310 LakeComm Law 6 LakeComm Dispatch: Law 6 (Antioch, Fox Lake, Lake Villa) Encrypted
33316 FoxLk PoliceTac2 Fox Lake Police: Tac 2 Encrypted

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm 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 Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm 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 Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm: STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois is shared county-wide or regional infrastructure, also used by 1 other agency in Lake County — one radio system, several agency pages.

Lake County Context

Lake County is a mixed picture: 10 of 30 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (33%), 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 Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm radio encrypted?

Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm 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 Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm 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 Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm 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 Lake 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 Lake County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Whoever made this call for Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm 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 Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm encryption?

Contact the officials who oversee Fox Lake Police/Foxcomm's budget directly and ask why full encryption was chosen over partial alternatives. Pair that with a FOIA request for recordings and policy records, and look for an existing coalition in Lake County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.

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