San Antonio: How One City Got Encryption Right
For over 30 years, San Antonio has maintained a media access program that allows journalists to monitor encrypted police radio. As Texas cities race toward total secrecy, San Antonio proves there is another way.
Key Facts
The San Antonio Difference
When most cities encrypt their police radios, they shut out everyone: journalists, neighborhood watch groups, traffic reporters, and accountability advocates alike. San Antonio built something different.
Since the early 1990s, Bexar County has allowed local newsrooms to purchase radio terminals identical to those used by first responders. These newsroom units can receive encrypted police communications but cannot transmit. Local government installs the encryption codes; newsrooms pay for the hardware.
San Antonio has maintained that arrangement through three decades and a complete system migration. Police departments that insist operational security and press access can't coexist haven't tried what San Antonio has been doing since the Clinton administration.
How San Antonio built its model
Media Access Program Begins
Bexar County establishes a precedent-setting arrangement: newsrooms can purchase radio terminals to monitor encrypted communications. The county provides encryption code installation.
Texas Anti-Terrorism Statute
The Texas Association of Broadcasters secures language in state law protecting the San Antonio model. The statute ensures encryption codes cannot be used to deny media access to government radio terminals.
EDACS ProVoice System Deployed
San Antonio deploys the EDACS ProVoice trunked system for all public safety communications. While technically not encryption, ProVoice digital modulation prevents standard scanner monitoring. Media access continues through official terminals.
P25 Phase II Migration Begins
SAPD begins migrating to the new Alamo Area Regional Radio System (AARRS), a P25 Phase II system with true encryption. The transition means old media terminals will no longer work.
Full P25 Transition Complete
SAPD fully transitions to the new P25 system. Critically, the media access program survives: newsrooms purchase new P25-capable terminals, and local government installs the new encryption codes. The 30-year partnership continues.
Legacy EDACS System Decommissioned
The old EDACS ProVoice system is powered off. Public scanner monitoring ends completely, but accredited newsrooms continue receiving encrypted traffic through their updated terminals.
How the Media Access Program Works
Newsroom Purchases Terminal
Media organizations buy the same radio terminal hardware used by first responders. The cost is borne entirely by the newsroom, not taxpayers.
Transmit Function Disabled
Newsroom terminals have transmission capabilities disabled. Journalists can listen but cannot broadcast on police frequencies or interfere with operations.
Government Installs Codes
Local government personnel install the encryption codes needed to receive traffic. This service is provided at no cost to media outlets.
Protected by State Law
The 2001 Texas anti-terrorism statute ensures encryption codes cannot be used as a basis for denying media access to government radio terminals.
Current encryption status
San Antonio Police (SAPD)
EncryptedAll SAPD communications are fully encrypted on the P25 system. The general public cannot monitor. Credentialed media outlets with terminals can listen.
Bexar County Sheriff (BCSO)
Partially EncryptedBCSO is mostly encrypted but operates in the clear on some channels. Media terminals provide access to encrypted traffic.
Fire & EMS
OpenAll fire and non-investigative EMS talkgroups remain unencrypted and accessible to the public via scanner or online streams.
Texas DPS
Mostly OpenTexas Department of Public Safety and smaller agencies near Randolph AFB maintain open communications.
Why San Antonio matters for your city
When police departments propose encryption, they typically frame it as a binary: either encrypt and lock out criminals, or stay open and put officers at risk. San Antonio has run a third option for 30 years without incident.
Operational security intact
The general public, including potential criminal listeners, cannot monitor SAPD radio traffic. Tactical operations remain closed to outside listeners.
Press access maintained
Journalists can verify police activity independently, reach breaking scenes ahead of official statements, and report on incidents without relying entirely on police releases.
No taxpayer cost
Newsrooms purchase their own equipment. Government staff install the encryption codes—a small time investment that removes the standard objection about cost.
State law backing
The 2001 Texas statute gives the arrangement legal standing and provides a template that other state legislatures could adopt.
San Antonio is "a good example of law enforcement encrypting communications while still allowing stakeholders who rely on scanners to access information."Texas Association of Broadcasters
San Antonio vs. Other Texas Cities
While San Antonio has made this work for three decades, other Texas communities have gone the opposite direction when they encrypted.
| City/County | Public Access | Media Access | Public Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio / Bexar County | Encrypted | Yes (Terminal Program) | 30+ years of partnership |
| Brazos County | Encrypted | No | None - overnight switch |
| Houston / Harris County | Partial | Limited | Gradual transition |
| Dallas | Partial | Limited | Varied by unit |
In December 2025, Brazos County encrypted all communications overnight with no public notice, no media access provisions, and no community input. San Antonio and Brazos County are both in Texas and both encrypted. The difference is that one built a 30-year media access program and the other flipped a switch in the dark.
Read about the Brazos County encryption controversyBring the San Antonio Model to Your City
If your police department is considering encryption, San Antonio gives you a concrete counterproposal. Here's how to push for a similar program:
Cite San Antonio directly
When officials say encryption and media access can't coexist, ask them to explain why San Antonio has managed it for more than 30 years without any documented security problems tied to the program.
Push for legislation
The 2001 Texas anti-terrorism statute gives the arrangement legal standing. Work with state legislators to get similar language on the books in your state before encryption happens, not after.
Bring in local newsrooms
Television stations, newspapers, and radio newsrooms stand to lose the most. They also have relationships with elected officials. Get them to the table early.
Address the cost objection upfront
Newsrooms pay for their own terminals. Government time to install encryption codes is the only public expense. Remove that argument before officials can raise it.
How to listen to San Antonio area scanners
SAPD is fully encrypted for the general public, but some San Antonio area traffic is still accessible.
Fire & EMS (Open)
San Antonio Fire Department and non-investigative EMS channels remain unencrypted. Listen via Broadcastify or a P25-capable digital scanner.
Online Streams
Some Broadcastify feeds cover available San Antonio area traffic. Search for "San Antonio" or "Bexar County" to find active feeds.
Surrounding Areas
Cities near Randolph AFB and Texas DPS maintain more open communications. Check RadioReference for specific frequencies and talkgroups.
Technical Details
- System: Alamo Area Regional Radio System (AARRS)
- Type: P25 Phase II
- SAPD Status: Fully encrypted (media access only)
- BCSO Status: Mostly encrypted, some clear channels
- Fire/EMS: Unencrypted
- More Info: RadioReference Bexar County
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio police radio encrypted?
Yes. San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) fully encrypted all radio communications when they migrated to the P25 Phase II Alamo Area Regional Radio System (AARRS) in September 2022. The general public cannot monitor SAPD radio traffic. However, San Antonio has a unique media access program that allows credentialed newsrooms to purchase radio terminals with encryption codes installed by local government.
Can journalists listen to San Antonio police scanners?
Yes. For over 30 years, San Antonio has maintained a media access program where local newsrooms can purchase the same radio terminals used by first responders. The newsroom versions have transmission capabilities disabled, but can receive encrypted police communications. Newsrooms pay for equipment, and local government installs the encryption codes at no cost.
Is Bexar County Sheriff radio encrypted?
Partially. Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is mostly encrypted but operates in the clear on some channels. Fire and EMS communications remain unencrypted and accessible to the public. Media outlets with radio terminals can monitor both SAPD and BCSO encrypted traffic.
Why is San Antonio's approach considered a model for other cities?
San Antonio balances law enforcement's desire for encrypted communications with media transparency needs. While the general public cannot monitor, credentialed journalists can still cover breaking news independently. The Texas Association of Broadcasters cites San Antonio as the ideal example of how to encrypt while maintaining accountability, and the 2001 Texas anti-terrorism statute was modeled on San Antonio's approach.