Contra Costa County, California: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Contra Costa County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Contra Costa County
- Fire dispatch — most fire departments stay on open radio even when police go encrypted
- EMS / ambulance dispatch — emergency medical services often remain unencrypted for interoperability
- NOAA Weather Radio — direct NWS broadcasts on 162.400–162.550 MHz
- Public works & utilities — city maintenance, road crews, and utilities typically unencrypted
Recommended Scanners for Contra Costa County
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Agencies in Contra Costa County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all California agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Antioch Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Brentwood Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Concord Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Contra Costa County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Hercules Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Martinez Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Pinole Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Richmond Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| San Ramon Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Contra Costa County, California?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Contra Costa County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels. Check the local fire and EMS frequencies which often remain unencrypted even when police go encrypted.
Is police radio encrypted in Contra Costa County?
Yes — 2 out of 9 agencies in Contra Costa County use full encryption. An additional 7 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Contra Costa County?
For Contra Costa County, we recommend a scanner that covers VHF and UHF frequencies for fire, EMS, and weather — the Uniden BC125AT is the best value. For broader exploration, the RTL-SDR V4 with free SDRTrunk software can scan the full spectrum.