Perth Amboy Police
Woodbridge, New Jersey
How we verified this
RadioReference states 'All Perth Amboy departments are on the Woodbridge P25 trunk system full time for operations and all are encrypted except Fire dispatch'; note the listing's county field is wrong - Perth Amboy is in Middlesex County ('Woodbridge' is the system host town, not a county).
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Woodbridge County Context
Woodbridge County is a mixed picture: 2 of 5 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 Woodbridge 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 Perth Amboy Police radio encrypted?
Yes. Perth Amboy 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 Perth Amboy Police on a police scanner?
No. Perth Amboy Police has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 AES-256. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Perth Amboy 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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge County reverse the encryption decision?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by Woodbridge County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Perth Amboy Police encryption?
File a FOIA request for Perth Amboy 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 Woodbridge 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.