New York State: NYPD's $390M Encryption, Hochul Veto & Int. 1460
New York is where the national fight over police radio encryption is most visible. The NYPD's $390 million project ended more than 90 years of open scanner access. Governor Hochul vetoed the state bill that would have restored press access. And within a month of that veto, New York City enacted Local Law 46 anyway.
What NY listeners can still monitor statewide
NYPD precinct dispatch is encrypted, State Police encryption varies by troop and county system, and Hochul vetoed the press access bill. But upstate sheriffs, many Long Island and Hudson Valley departments, FDNY fire and EMS, JFK/LGA/ALB aviation, federal agencies, and NOAA weather all remain in the clear. This is the standard stack for New York listeners.
Key Facts at a Glance
NYPD: more than 90 years of transparency ended
The NYPD's encryption project is among the largest and most expensive any American police department has undertaken. Journalists and the public had monitored NYPD radio since 1932. That ended as the borough-by-borough rollout, begun in July 2023, reached completion in early 2026.
The $390 million question
At roughly $78 million per year over five years, the NYPD's investment addresses a problem with no documented evidence of existing harm. No department—nationally or in New York—has produced records of scanner access leading to officer injury or death.
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, borough by borough, starting with Brooklyn North precincts.
Rollout reaches the rest of the city; precinct encryption is complete by early 2026, and the Special Operations feed is cut in January 2025. Citywide 1-3 and Transit Division channels remained in the clear as of late 2025. Journalism organizations report severe impacts on breaking news coverage.
Governor Hochul's veto
On December 19, 2025, Hochul vetoed the "Keep Police Radio Public Act" (S.416/A.3516), which had passed both legislative chambers. Less than a month later, New York City's Local Law 46 was enacted anyway.
What the bill would have done
- Required agencies that encrypt to keep radio communications accessible, with exceptions for sensitive information
- Mandated access for emergency services organizations and professional journalists
- Followed the model of Colorado's HB21-1250
- Applied statewide to all law enforcement agencies
The governor's rationale
- Transparency is a "worthy goal" but could not "come at the expense of public safety"
- Implementation cost to local police departments
- Concern the bill would expose dispatches involving undercover officers
- Doubts about technological feasibility for departments across the entire state
The veto prioritizes theoretical concerns over documented public benefits: no department has produced records of scanner access harming officers, while open scanners have a long record of informing the public during emergencies. Press groups called the veto a blow to transparency.
— Our analysis of the vetoNYC Local Law 46
On January 17, 2026 — weeks after Hochul's veto — NYC became the first major U.S. city to require press access to encrypted police radio. Int. 1460-2025, sponsored by Council Member Gale Brewer, became Local Law 46 of 2026 after taking effect without a mayoral signature. The Council had passed it 41-7; the Public Safety Committee voted 9-0.
Local Law 46 Requirements
- NYPD must give certified journalists access to encrypted radio communications
- The general public retains access to clear citywide channels
- 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
See our full Local Law 46 case study for details on how this victory was achieved — and why it's now a model for other cities.
Impact on New York journalism
New York has more working journalists per square mile than almost anywhere in the world. Encryption is affecting all of them.
Breaking news delays
Reporters now wait for NYPD notifications instead of reaching scenes independently. Newsrooms describe learning of major incidents long after they begin, on the department's schedule.
Accountability gap
There is no longer an independent real-time record of police activity. During critical incidents, the public receives only what the department chooses to release.
Public safety information
Residents near an active emergency cannot monitor what is happening in their neighborhoods. Parents at a school lockdown get nothing until the department issues a statement.
Loss of institutional practice
More than 90 years of scanner-based breaking news coverage has ended. The reporters who developed that practice are now working without the tool they relied on.
Other New York agencies
The NYPD is not the only agency in New York encrypting. The pattern is spreading statewide.
Encrypted or encrypting
- NYPD — Precinct dispatch fully encrypted as of early 2026; Citywide 1-3 and Transit channels remained clear as of late 2025
- Nassau County PD — Moving to encryption since 2023; verify current status
- Suffolk County PD — P25 Phase II system, partially encrypted
- Westchester County — Mixed encryption status
- NY State Police — Varies by troop; dispatch runs on VHF and county trunked systems, some encrypted
Still open
- Many upstate departments remain unencrypted
- Some suburban agencies maintain open dispatch
- FDNY fire and EMS remain in the clear on analog channels; fire and EMS statewide largely remain accessible
What you can do
New Yorkers have concrete options:
Hold the NYPD to Local Law 46
Contact your NYC Council member. Attend public hearings, and submit comments when the NYPD publishes its implementation proposal (due July 2026).
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