Los Angeles County, California: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Los Angeles County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County
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Agencies in Los Angeles County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all California agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Arcadia Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Azusa Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Baldwin Park Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Bell Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Bell Gardens Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Beverly Hills Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Bob Hope (Hollywood-Burbank) Airport | airport | P25 DES-OFB |
| Burbank Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Covina Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| Culver City Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Dodgers Stadium | other | DMR Enhanced Privacy |
| Downey Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
| East San Gabriel Valley / Foothills Special Enforcement Team | other | P25 AES-256 |
| El Monte Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| El Segundo Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Los Angeles County, California?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County?
Yes — 22 out of 46 agencies in Los Angeles County use full encryption. An additional 19 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Los Angeles County?
For Los Angeles 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.