Military Installation In the Clear — Per RadioReference Data 2026-09-28

Fort Drum

Jefferson, New York

What you can do right now

My city went dark — now what? Step-by-step guide for residents of newly encrypted areas. What you can still monitor Fire, EMS, and surrounding-jurisdiction channels often remain open. Request the recordings FOIA templates for Fort Drum radio archives. Reverse the decision Tactics from cities that successfully reversed police encryption.

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope All Base Operations
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
2 Total Talkgroups
0 Encrypted
2 Unencrypted
0% Encrypted
Radio System: Central New York Interoperable Communications Consortium (CNYICC)

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Fort Drum from the RadioReference API, and used it to correct this listing’s encryption status — 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 Fort Drum 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 Fort Drum: Central New York Interoperable Communications Consortium (CNYICC) is shared county-wide or regional infrastructure, also used by 0 other agencies in Jefferson County — one radio system, several agency pages.

What This Means

This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fort Drum radio encrypted?

No. Despite earlier listings, Fort Drum broadcasts in the clear. This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but its own RadioReference talkgroup data (reviewed 2026-09-28) shows 0% of its talkgroups actually encrypted. Any scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.

Can I listen to Fort Drum on a police scanner?

Yes. Fort Drum's own RadioReference talkgroup data shows its dispatch broadcasting in the clear — any scanner can receive it. Check RadioReference for frequencies and current status.

Why do agencies like Fort Drum encrypt their radio?

Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Jefferson County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor military installation activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.

Can Jefferson County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Whoever made this call for Fort Drum 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 Fort Drum encryption?

Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Fort Drum, 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 Jefferson County with you.

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