Chittenden County, Vermont: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Chittenden County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Chittenden 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 Chittenden County
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Agencies in Chittenden County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Vermont agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Colchester Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Milton Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| South Burlington Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Williston Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Winooski Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Chittenden County, Vermont?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Chittenden 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 Chittenden County?
Yes — 6 out of 6 agencies in Chittenden County use full encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Chittenden County?
For Chittenden 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.