Encrypted vs Open Cities: A Side-by-Side Reality Check
Police departments claim encryption is necessary for public safety. But what happens when you compare similar cities—one encrypted, one open—facing identical challenges? The results speak for themselves. This is not theory. This is documented reality.
Two Cities, Two Outcomes
These are not hypothetical scenarios. These are real cities, facing real emergencies, with dramatically different outcomes based on one policy choice: whether the public could hear police communications.
Comparison 1: Highland Park vs Chicago
Highland Park, IL
Pop. 30,000During 2022 mass shooting, real-time scanner info helped civilians avoid danger zones and locate family
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2.7MDuring 2022 courthouse shooting (40+ shots), public had zero real-time information
The Point: Same metro area, same July 4th weekend, completely different outcomes for public awareness.
Comparison 2: Tampa vs Miami
Tampa, FL
Pop. 400,000Hosted Super Bowl 2021 with open radios; hurricane season coverage remains transparent
Miami, FL
Pop. 460,000Hurricane coverage now relies on delayed official sources; $25M system failed in 2014
The Point: Both face hurricanes, tourism, and crime. Only one chose transparency.
Highland Park: When Open Scanners Saved Lives
On July 4, 2022, a gunman opened fire during Highland Park's Independence Day parade, killing seven people. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent American history. But open scanner access meant something unusual: the public could protect themselves in real-time.
First shots fired at parade
Police dispatch live on scanner; listeners immediately aware
News outlets broadcasting warnings based on scanner
Families using scanner info to locate loved ones and avoid danger zones
Public taking cover, avoiding active search areas
What Scanner Access Provided:
- Immediate situational awareness—within seconds of first shots
- Real-time police search areas—public knew where to avoid
- Family reunification information—separated relatives could track safe zones
- Media coordination—accurate reporting countered social media rumors
- 911 offload—listeners did not need to call for updates
Chicago: When Encryption Hid Danger
Just 25 miles south, Chicago operates under one of the most restrictive encryption policies in America. In 2022, a gunman fired more than 40 shots outside a Chicago courthouse. The outcome for public awareness? Complete information blackout.
First shots fired at courthouse
Police dispatch (encrypted—public hears nothing)
Complete information blackout for 30 minutes
Delayed, censored audio finally becomes available
Official press release issued
What Encryption Blocked:
- No real-time warning for people near courthouse
- No independent media verification of events
- No family ability to track safety situation
- No public awareness until danger had passed
- Official narrative controlled by police department
Impact by Stakeholder Group
The encryption divide affects different groups in different ways. Here is a breakdown of what open versus encrypted communications mean for each stakeholder.
Impact on Journalists
| Category | Open City | Encrypted City |
|---|---|---|
| Breaking News | Immediate awareness of incidents; can dispatch crews within minutes | 30+ minute delay or reliance on official press releases |
| Source Verification | Independent verification of police claims in real-time | Must accept official narrative; no independent check |
| Public Safety Alerts | Can broadcast warnings about active threats immediately | Warnings delayed until official channels update |
| Accountability | Audio evidence of police communications during incidents | No record of initial communications available |
ABC7 Chicago described Chicago's 30-minute delay as "almost useless for breaking news."
Impact on Residents
| Category | Open City | Encrypted City |
|---|---|---|
| Active Threat Awareness | Know about shooters, pursuits, hazmat in real-time | Learn about dangers after the fact |
| Emergency Response Time | Can take protective action immediately | Wait for official alerts that may be delayed |
| Family Location | Track police activity to locate separated family during crises | No real-time information about incident areas |
| 911 Call Reduction | Scanner listeners do not need to call 911 for updates | Increased 911 volume from people seeking information |
Impact on Emergency Response
| Category | Open City | Encrypted City |
|---|---|---|
| Fire/EMS Coordination | Full situational awareness for volunteer and community responders | Interoperability issues; responders may miss critical info |
| Hurricane/Disaster Response | Real-time updates on conditions, evacuations, road closures | Reliance on delayed official channels during fast-moving events |
| Multi-Agency Events | Public can track coordination across agencies | Communication gaps between encrypted and open agencies |
| Community Watch | Neighborhood groups can monitor local activity | Community safety networks lose information access |
Tampa vs Miami: The Florida Divide
Perhaps no comparison better illustrates the policy nature of encryption than Florida's own divide. Tampa and Miami face identical challenges: hurricanes, tourism, drug trafficking, major events. Yet Tampa maintains transparency while Miami went dark.
Tampa Bay Region
- Tampa PD: Open P25 digital
- Hillsborough County Sheriff: Open
- St. Petersburg PD: Mostly accessible
- Hosted Super Bowl 2021 with open radios
- Hurricane coverage fully transparent
Proves major metros can maintain open communications
South Florida Region
- Miami-Dade PD: Fully encrypted
- Miami Beach PD: Encrypted Dec 2021
- Broward County Sheriff: Encrypted
- $25M system failed in 2014; rebuilt at additional cost
- Hurricane coverage now delayed/filtered
Millions spent to block information from the public
The question every South Florida resident should ask: If Tampa can host the Super Bowl, manage hurricanes, and maintain public safety with open radios, why does Miami need encryption?
By the Numbers
What This Comparison Proves
Encryption Is a Choice, Not a Necessity
Tampa and Highland Park face the same challenges as Miami and Chicago. They chose differently. The comparison shows encryption is about control, not safety.
Open Access Has Documented Benefits
Highland Park provides concrete evidence: during a mass shooting, open scanner access helped people survive. No comparable evidence exists showing encryption saves lives.
Encryption Claims Are Unsupported
Police departments claim encryption protects officers and operations. When asked for evidence, they provide none. Palo Alto searched 3 years of records: zero incidents.
The Public Loses, Period
In every encrypted city, journalists lose independence, residents lose awareness, and emergency responders lose coordination. The only winner is the department controlling information.
Use This Evidence
If your city is considering encryption, use these comparisons to make the case for transparency:
Cite Highland Park
Provide the documented example where open scanner access helped people during an active shooter. Ask officials to provide a counter-example where encryption saved lives.
Point to Tampa
Tampa proves major metros can maintain transparency. If your city claims encryption is necessary, ask why Tampa disagrees.
Request Records
File FOIA requests for documented incidents where scanner access harmed officers or operations. Other cities found zero. Yours likely will too.
Show the Cost
Miami spent $25M on a failed system. Chicago's delays help no one. Ask officials to justify the expense of blocking public information.
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 SpeakSources & Documentation
- Highland Park shooting scanner recordings and news coverage (July 2022)
- Chicago Police Department encryption policy documentation
- ABC7 Chicago reporting on scanner delays
- Tampa Police Department transparency portal
- Miami-Dade encryption implementation records
- Palo Alto FOIA response (zero incidents in 3-year search)
- NBC 6 South Florida: $25M Harris system failure (2014)