Delayed Feeds and FOIA Provide Sufficient Access
This claim is not supported by evidence.
The Claim
Even with encryption, the public and media can access police radio audio through delayed streaming (like Chicago's 30-minute delay) or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
The Evidence
"Delayed audio arrives after the incident has concluded."
- Chicago's 30-minute delay: Media outlets describe it as nearly worthless for timely reporting; by the time audio is available, incidents are over
- Active censorship: Chicago removes transmissions deemed 'sensitive' before release—censorship in its purest form with no oversight
- FOIA delays: Requests can take weeks or months; some departments charge thousands of dollars in fees
- Public safety impact: During active emergencies (shooters, natural disasters), delayed information is too late to help people take protective action
The Reality
Real-time access and delayed access serve completely different purposes:
- Real-time scanner access provides immediate public safety alerts, breaking news coverage, situational awareness, and independent verification as events unfold
- Delayed or FOIA-acquired records are useful for historical research only — they arrive after official narratives are already set, are often censored, and are useless during emergencies
- Nine Chicago news organisations, including ABC7, the Tribune and the Sun-Times, signed a joint letter opposing the city's encrypt-and-delay policy
Bottom Line
When police departments make this claim, ask them for evidence. The documented facts don't support it.
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