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 92 years of open scanner access. Governor Hochul vetoed the state bill that would have restored press access. And the day after that veto, New York City's Local Law 46 took effect anyway.
What NY listeners can still monitor statewide
NYPD is encrypted, State Police operate on the OIP, and Hochul vetoed the press access bill. But upstate sheriffs, many Long Island and Hudson Valley departments, 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: 92 years of transparency ended
The NYPD's encryption project is the largest and most expensive in American law enforcement history. Journalists and the public had monitored NYPD radio since 1932. That ended with the 2024 rollout.
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. 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
On January 16, 2026, Hochul vetoed the "Keep Police Radio Public Act" (S.1265/A.2037)—one day before NYC's Local Law 46 took effect. The bill had passed both legislative chambers.
What the bill would have done
- Required encrypted agencies to create media access policies
- Mandated timely access for credentialed journalists
- Followed the model of Colorado's HB21-1250
- Applied statewide to all law enforcement agencies
The governor's rationale
- "Officer safety"—with no documented evidence to support the claim
- "Operational security"—a theoretical concern with no factual record behind it
- Credential verification—a process the NYPD already uses for press passes
- No acknowledgment of the bipartisan legislative majority or press freedom concerns
"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
On January 17, 2026, the day after Hochul's veto, NYC became the first major U.S. city to require press access to encrypted police radio. Int. 1460-2025 became Local Law 46 after Mayor Mamdani let it take effect without a signature. The Council had passed it 41-7; the Public Safety Committee voted 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
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. Response times to breaking events have risen by 30 minutes or more in documented cases.
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
92 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 — 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 concrete options:
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