Alameda County, California: Police Scanner Guide
Alameda County has significant unencrypted radio traffic. A digital scanner gives you broad coverage of police, fire, and EMS channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Alameda County
- Fire and EMS dispatch
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Public works channels
Recommended Scanners for Alameda County
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Agencies in Alameda County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all California agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Berkeley Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Fremont Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Livermore Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Newark Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Oakland Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Pleasantion Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| UC Berkeley Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Union City Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Alameda County, California?
Alameda County has significant unencrypted radio traffic. A digital scanner gives you broad coverage of police, fire, and EMS channels. Check the local fire and EMS frequencies which often remain unencrypted even when police go encrypted.
Is police radio encrypted in Alameda County?
Yes — 2 out of 9 agencies in Alameda County use full encryption. An additional 7 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Alameda County?
For Alameda County's mix of digital and analog traffic, you need a P25-capable scanner. The Uniden BCD436HP decodes both P25 Phase I and Phase II, which covers most modern trunked systems.