Union County, New Jersey: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Union County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Union 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 Union County
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Agencies in Union County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all New Jersey agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Lindin Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Plainfield Police | police | P25 ADP |
| Roseville Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Union Township Fire | fire | P25 AES-256 |
| Union Township EMS | ems | P25 AES-256 |
| Union Township Police | police | P25 ADP |
| Elizabeth Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Roselle Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Linden Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Rosellepk Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Rahway Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Union County, New Jersey?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Union 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 Union County?
Yes — 2 out of 12 agencies in Union County use full encryption. An additional 9 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Union County?
For Union 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.