Ocean City Police
Atlantic, New Jersey
How we verified this
RadioReference flags both OcnCity PD talkgroups (31101, 31102) Enc on the Atlantic County system; note Ocean City is geographically in Cape May County, not Atlantic County as the listing states.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Atlantic County Context
Ocean City Police isn't an outlier here: 19 of the 22 public-safety agencies we track in Atlantic County are fully encrypted (86%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Atlantic County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ocean City Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Ocean City Police uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Can I listen to Ocean City Police on a police scanner?
No. Ocean City Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Ocean City Police encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Atlantic County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Atlantic County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Ocean City 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 Ocean City Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Ocean City Police's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Atlantic County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.