New York State: NYPD's $390M Encryption, Hochul Veto & Int. 1460
New York represents one of the most consequential battlegrounds for police radio transparency. The NYPD's massive $390 million encryption project ends 92 years of public access, while Governor Hochul's veto of media access legislation and the pending NYC Council Int. 1460 highlight the ongoing fight for press freedom.
Key Facts at a Glance
NYPD: Breaking 92 Years of Transparency
The New York Police Department's encryption project is the largest and most expensive in American history. Since 1932, journalists and the public have monitored NYPD radio communications—a tradition that ends with full encryption implementation.
The $390 Million Question
NYPD's encryption represents a five-year investment of $390 million—roughly $78 million per year—to solve a problem with zero documented evidence of existing harm. When asked for documentation of scanner-related officer harm, departments nationwide have consistently found nothing.
NYPD begins radio communications. Public monitoring becomes standard practice for journalists covering the city.
George Floyd protests accelerate encryption discussions. NYPD cites "officer safety" and "operational security" as justifications.
NYPD begins phased encryption rollout. Patrol borough channels start going dark.
Full encryption implementation. 92 years of public access ends. Journalism organizations report severe impacts on breaking news coverage.
Governor Hochul's Veto: The "Keep Police Radio Public Act"
On January 16, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed the "Keep Police Radio Public Act" (S.1265/A.2037)—just one day before NYC's Local Law 46 took effect. The veto blocked statewide press access, but NYC found another way forward at the city level.
What the Bill Would Have Done
- Required encrypted police agencies to create media access policies
- Mandated "timely" access to radio communications for credentialed journalists
- Established a framework similar to Colorado's HB21-1250
- Applied statewide to all law enforcement agencies
The Governor's Rationale
- Cited "officer safety concerns"—despite no documented evidence
- Suggested "operational security" could be compromised
- Ignored bipartisan support in the legislature
- Dismissed concerns from press freedom organizations
"The governor's veto prioritizes theoretical concerns over documented public safety benefits. There are zero documented cases of scanner access harming officers, but countless examples of open scanners saving lives during emergencies."
— Press freedom advocate response to the vetoNYC Local Law 46: A Landmark Victory
On January 17, 2026—just one day after Hochul's veto—NYC became the first major U.S. city to mandate press access to encrypted police radio. Int. 1460-2025 became Local Law 46 of 2026 after Mayor Mamdani let it take effect without his signature. The Council had passed it 41-7 (Public Safety Committee: 9-0).
Local Law 46 Requirements
- NYPD must provide real-time radio access to credentialed journalists
- Critical incidents must be broadcast on an unencrypted citywide channel
- 180 days to publish implementation proposal
- 45-day public comment period
- Full implementation within one year (by January 2027)
Implementation Timeline
July 2026: NYPD must publish implementation proposal
August 2026: Public comment period closes
January 2027: Full implementation required
A model for other cities: See our full Local Law 46 case study for details on how this victory was achieved.
The Impact on New York Journalism
New York's media landscape—one of the world's most robust—faces unprecedented challenges from NYPD encryption.
Breaking News Delays
Journalists now depend entirely on official NYPD notifications. Response times to breaking events have increased dramatically, often by 30+ minutes.
Accountability Gap
Independent verification of police activity is now impossible in real-time. The public receives only NYPD's official narrative during critical incidents.
Public Safety Concerns
Residents in active emergency situations cannot monitor what's happening in their neighborhoods. Parents during school incidents are left in the dark.
Historical Loss
92 years of journalistic practice ends. The institutional knowledge of covering breaking news via scanner is being lost.
Other New York Agencies
NYPD isn't the only New York agency moving toward encryption. The trend is spreading across the state.
Encrypted or Encrypting
- NYPD — Full encryption implementation underway
- Nassau County PD — Encrypted
- Suffolk County PD — Partially encrypted
- Westchester County — Mixed encryption status
- NY State Police — Selective encryption
Still Open
- Many upstate departments remain unencrypted
- Some suburban agencies maintain open dispatch
- Fire and EMS largely remain accessible
What You Can Do
New Yorkers have multiple avenues to fight for transparency:
Support Int. 1460
Contact your NYC Council member. Attend public hearings. Submit testimony supporting media access provisions.
Get testimony templatesPush for State Legislation
Despite the veto, advocates can push for new legislation. Contact your state representatives about reintroducing access requirements.
Lobbying guideFile FOIA Requests
Request documentation of any scanner-related officer harm incidents. The lack of evidence undermines the justification for encryption.
FOIA templatesBuild Coalitions
Connect with journalist organizations, civil liberties groups, and community organizations to build pressure for transparency.
Coalition building guideRelated Resources
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 Speak