Highland Park Shooting: When Scanner Access Saved Lives
During one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent American history, open police scanner access provided real-time information that helped civilians take cover, avoid active danger zones, and locate loved ones—proving why public access to police communications can be a matter of life and death.
What Happened in Highland Park
On July 4, 2022, during Highland Park's Independence Day parade, a gunman opened fire from a rooftop, killing seven people and wounding dozens more. As chaos erupted, official communication channels were overwhelmed. Emergency alerts lagged. Social media filled with rumors and misinformation.
But one source provided accurate, real-time information that saved lives: open police scanner access.
How Scanners Saved Lives That Day
- Immediate situational awareness: People monitoring police scanners knew about the active shooter within seconds—long before official alerts went out.
- Avoiding danger zones: Real-time police communications helped civilians understand where the shooter was, where police were searching, and which areas to avoid.
- Finding loved ones: Families used scanner information to locate relatives who were separated during the chaos and understand which areas were safe.
- Media coordination: Journalists monitoring scanners provided accurate public updates, countering rumors and reducing panic.
- Reducing 911 overload: People with scanner access didn't need to call 911 for information, leaving lines open for actual emergencies.
The Timing That Matters Most
In active shooter situations, seconds matter. The difference between taking cover and being exposed. Between running toward danger and away from it. Between finding a loved one and hours of agonizing uncertainty.
Highland Park's police department had not encrypted their radio communications. This meant:
- News media could broadcast live updates based on real police activity
- Apps like Broadcastify streamed real-time scanner audio
- Residents with scanner receivers got unfiltered information immediately
- No 30-minute delays (like Chicago's encrypted system imposes)
- No waiting for official press releases while events unfolded
What If Highland Park Had Been Encrypted?
Many police departments across Illinois and nationwide have moved to fully encrypted radio systems. If Highland Park had encrypted their police communications on July 4, 2022:
With Encryption (What We'd Lose)
- No real-time scanner access for the public
- Journalists dependent on official statements only
- 30-minute delays (or longer) for any information
- Families unable to track police activity
- Increased 911 call volume from people seeking information
- Social media rumors filling the information vacuum
Without Encryption (What Actually Happened)
- Immediate public awareness of the threat
- Real-time media updates based on police activity
- Informed decisions about safety and movement
- Families could track search areas and safe zones
- Reduced panic through accurate information
- Independent verification of official accounts
National Implications: A Pattern of Life-Saving Access
Highland Park isn't unique. Across the country, open police scanner access has proven critical during emergencies:
- Active shooter situations: Real-time alerts warn residents to shelter in place or avoid specific areas
- Natural disasters: Tornado warnings, wildfire evacuations, and flood zones identified before official channels update
- Bomb threats: Information about evacuations and safe perimeters
- Vehicle pursuits: Knowing when dangerous chases are heading through neighborhoods
- Chemical spills/hazmat incidents: Immediate awareness of dangerous areas
The Encryption Trend Threatens This Access
Despite evidence like Highland Park, police departments nationwide are encrypting radio communications at an accelerating pace. The reasons cited—officer safety, victim privacy—have zero documented evidence supporting them, according to multiple police departments' own records searches.
Meanwhile, the documented benefits of open access—lives saved, accurate reporting, public accountability—are being eliminated.
What Happened in Encrypted Cities
In contrast to Highland Park's open communications, consider what happened in Chicago, where police radios are encrypted:
Chicago Courthouse Shooting (2022)
An active gunman fired more than 40 shots outside a courthouse. Police responded. But the public never knew in real time because radio communications were encrypted. No scanner alerts. No immediate media coverage. Just silence—followed 30 minutes later by a sanitized press release.
People near the courthouse had no idea they were in danger until it was over.
The Evidence Is Clear
Open police scanner access saves lives during emergencies
The Highland Park shooting demonstrated what public safety advocates have argued for years: real-time access to police communications is a public safety tool, not a threat.
When police departments encrypt their radios, they don't just limit journalist access or frustrate hobbyists. They eliminate a critical public safety resource that has proven value in the moments when it matters most—during active emergencies when seconds save lives.
What You Can Do
If your local police department is considering encryption, or has already encrypted their communications, you can take action:
- Contact your city council members and express concerns about public safety
- Request documentation of any incidents where scanner access caused harm (there likely is none)
- Advocate for hybrid systems that protect sensitive operations while keeping routine dispatch open
- Share real-world examples like Highland Park with decision-makers
- Support local journalism that relies on scanner access for breaking news
- Join or organize community opposition to blanket encryption policies
Take Action for Transparency
Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.
Contact Your Representatives
Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.
Get StartedRead Case Studies
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.
Prepare to SpeakLearn More & Take Action
Sources & Further Reading
- Colorado Public Radio: Coverage of Highland Park scanner usage
- ABC7 Chicago: Highland Park shooting timeline and scanner audio
- Local news reports documenting scanner-based public alerts
- Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) encryption concerns