Orange County, New York: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Orange County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Orange 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 Orange County
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Agencies in Orange County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all New York agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Newburgh City Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Orange County Department of Emergency Services | state | P25 AES-256 |
| Orange County Law Enforcement | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Orange County Sheriff's Office | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Highlands Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Maybrook Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Wallkill Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Walden Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Cornwall Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Warwick Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Orange County, New York?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Orange 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 Orange County?
Police radio in Orange County is not fully encrypted. Most agencies use open or mixed radio systems that can be monitored with a digital scanner.
What scanner do I need for Orange County?
For Orange 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.