Mandan Public Works
Morton, North Dakota
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Mandan's conventional public-works channel as encrypted — "158.7825 | MNDN WORKS | Public Works - Encrypted | FMNE" — while the city's public-works talkgroups on the state SIRN system, "30701 | T | MANDAN PW MAIN" and "30702 | T | MANDAN PW OPS 1", carry no encryption marker.
Encryption Details
Morton County Context
Mandan Public Works isn't an outlier here: 3 of the 4 public-safety agencies we track in Morton County are fully encrypted (75%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Morton County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mandan Public Works radio encrypted?
Yes — Mandan Public Works's radio system runs on P25 DES-OFB encryption. This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Can I listen to Mandan Public Works on a police scanner?
Partially. Mandan Public Works encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Mandan Public Works encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Morton County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor other agency activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Morton County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.
What can I do about Mandan Public Works encryption?
Contact the officials who oversee Mandan Public Works'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 Morton County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.