Erie County, Pennsylvania: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Erie County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Erie 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 Erie County
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Agencies in Erie County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Pennsylvania agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Edinboro University Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Erie City Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Erie County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Franklin & Marshall College Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Gannon University Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Mercyhurst University Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Millcreek Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Northwest Regional Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Penn State Behrend Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Strasberg Borough Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Erie County, Pennsylvania?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Erie 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 Erie County?
Yes — 6 out of 10 agencies in Erie County use full encryption. An additional 3 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Erie County?
For Erie 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.