Real-World Case Studies
Documented examples showing how police radio encryption—or its absence—impacts public safety, journalism, and community awareness during critical incidents.
Featured Case Studies
LAPD Encryption 2019
Wildfire Coverage Blackout
LAPD became the largest US police department to encrypt, fundamentally changing how news is covered in America's second-largest city. Wildfire evacuations, emergency response, and police accountability all impacted.
Uvalde Communications
Information Failures During Crisis
The Uvalde school shooting exposed how communication breakdowns create information vacuums during crises. Families and journalists had no access to real-time information during the prolonged response.
NYPD $390M Encryption
Breaking 92 Years of Transparency
NYPD is implementing a $390 million encrypted radio system, ending 92 years of public scanner access. City Council passed Int. 1460 requiring media access 41-7, but mayoral response is uncertain.
Palo Alto Reversal
How Community Pressure Won
After 20 months of sustained community pressure, Palo Alto reversed its encryption decision. Council Member Greer Stone championed the cause, and FOIA requests revealed zero incidents of scanner harm.
Highland Park Shooting
When Open Scanners Saved Lives
During one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent history, open police scanner access provided real-time information that helped civilians take cover, avoid danger zones, and locate loved ones.
Chicago Police Encryption
A Case Study in Information Control
Chicago's encrypted system imposes 30-minute delays and removes transmissions entirely. During a courthouse shooting, the public never knew in real time as 40+ shots were fired.
Colorado HB21-1250
First Statewide Media Access Law
Colorado became the first state to pass legislation requiring police encryption policies include media access provisions. A legislative blueprint for other states.
All Case Studies & Geographic Analysis
Highland Park
How open police scanner access saved lives during the July 4, 2022 mass shooting.
Chicago
How Chicago's 30-minute delay and censorship harm public safety.
NYPD New York New
New York City breaks 92-year tradition of open police radio with $390M encrypted system.
Toms River Fire NJ New
How one fire district's encryption decision affects interoperability and community safety.
Palo Alto Reversal New
A 20-month fight by residents and council members that restored radio transparency.
Oakland New
OPD encrypted radios without consulting the police commission or city council.
Berkeley New
Despite Copwatch history and public opposition, Berkeley approved police radio encryption.
Brazos County TX New
County-wide encryption implemented with no public notice in the shadow of Uvalde.
Colorado New
How Colorado passed the first statewide law requiring police encryption policies include media access.
Baltimore New
Baltimore implemented a 15-minute delayed police scanner access model. Why delays still harm transparency.
NY Hochul Veto New
Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed 2025 legislation requiring press access to encrypted police radio.
Montgomery County MD New
Montgomery County council considering police radio encryption in 2025. Status and advocacy resources.
By State
Interactive database of police radio encryption status across the United States.
California
Deep dive into police radio encryption across California jurisdictions.
Texas New
Comprehensive guide to police radio encryption across Texas. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin - current status.
Florida New
Comprehensive guide to police radio encryption across Florida. Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville - current status.
New York State New
NYPD's $390M encryption, Governor Hochul's veto of media access, and NYC Council Int. 1460.
Illinois State New
Chicago's 30-minute delay vs Highland Park's life-saving open access during the 2022 mass shooting.
Maryland State New
Montgomery County's DC-suburb encryption vs Baltimore's 15-minute delay compromise.
Pennsylvania State New
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh maintain partial access while PA State Police is fully encrypted.
Ohio State New
Ohio's three C's have adopted partial encryption while rural areas remain open.
Michigan State New
Detroit went fully encrypted in 2020 while Grand Rapids maintains transparency.
Minnesota State New
Minneapolis accelerated encryption after 2020 protests, creating an accountability paradox.
Massachusetts State New
Boston encrypted in 2016, years before the national trend. Analysis of long-term impacts.
Georgia State New
Atlanta went encrypted while Georgia's other major cities maintain transparency.
Arizona State New
Phoenix and Maricopa County fully encrypted. Tucson maintains partial access.
Washington State New
Seattle and Puget Sound agencies adopted partial encryption, preserving some access.
Boise Idaho New
Good news: Boise and Treasure Valley police radio remains open. Guide to monitoring Idaho agencies.
Porter County IN New
Porter County Sheriff is encrypted but Portage PD remains accessible. Complete guide to Northwest Indiana scanner access.
Minneapolis MN New
Minneapolis Police and most Twin Cities agencies are heavily encrypted. Guide to remaining options and advocacy.
Denver CO New
Denver metro is heavily encrypted. Guide to Denver, Aurora, and surrounding county scanner status.
LAPD Los Angeles New
How LAPD's 2019 encryption affected wildfire coverage and reshaped news media in America's second-largest city.
Uvalde Communications New
How communication breakdowns during the Uvalde tragedy reveal the information vacuum encryption creates.
SF Media Access New
Analysis of San Francisco's media credentialing system for police radio access—a middle ground approach.
DC Metro Police New
Federal-local jurisdiction overlap creates unique challenges for police radio access in the nation's capital.
Eric Garner Case New
What open scanner access meant for accountability during the Eric Garner case—and what's lost today under encryption.
Timeline
70+ years of open communications and the post-2020 encryption surge.
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