Monterey County, California: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Monterey County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Monterey 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 Monterey County
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Agencies in Monterey County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all California agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Cal State Monterey Bay Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Carmel Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Del Ray Oaks Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Gonzales Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Greenfield Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| King City Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Marina Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Monterey County District Attorney | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Monterey City Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Monterey County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Pacific Grove Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Salinas Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Sand City Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Seaside Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Soledad Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Monterey County, California?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Monterey 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 Monterey County?
Yes — 8 out of 16 agencies in Monterey County use full encryption. An additional 8 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Monterey County?
For Monterey 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.