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Comprehensive resources on police radio encryption, public safety, transparency, and community advocacy. Find evidence, case studies, solutions, and educational materials.
Evidence & Research
The documented case against police radio encryption
- Why Dangerous The comprehensive case against blanket police radio encryption.
- Myths vs Facts Debunking common arguments for police radio encryption with documented evidence.
- Pros & Cons An evidence-based analysis of police radio encryption arguments.
- Accountability How encryption eliminates public oversight and undermines democratic policing.
- Press Freedom Why journalists are fighting police radio encryption.
- Emergency Alerts How encryption blocks life-saving real-time emergency information.
- Community Impact Real-world consequences of police radio encryption for communities.
- Cost Analysis Millions spent on encryption with zero documented return on investment.
- Officer Safety Truth Zero documented cases of criminals using scanners to harm officers.
- Privacy Debate Why blanket encryption is a disproportionate response to privacy concerns.
- Interoperability New How encryption breaks multi-agency coordination between police, fire, and EMS.
- Criminal Scanner Use The evidence shows no documented cases of criminals exploiting scanner access.
- Insider Threats New Documented cases of police dispatchers and employees selling database access and leaking confidential information to criminals.
- Information Void New When police encrypt radios, communities don't stop wanting information—they just lose access to accurate information. The void fills with rumor, speculation, and Facebook 'news' pages run by operators facing criminal charges.
Case Studies
Real-world examples of encryption impacts
- Highland Park How open police scanner access saved lives during the July 4, 2022 mass shooting.
- Chicago How Chicago's 30-minute delay and censorship harm public safety.
- NYPD New York New New York City breaks 92-year tradition of open police radio with $390M encrypted system.
- Toms River Fire NJ New How one fire district's encryption decision affects interoperability and community safety.
- Palo Alto Reversal New A 20-month fight by residents and council members that restored radio transparency.
- SF Media Access New When SFPD encrypted radios, they created a media credentialing program for real-time access. A national model for balanced transparency.
- OC Fire Reversal New OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy ordered decryption of 1,500+ fire radios after public outcry during wildfire season.
- CO Legislative Victory New How three years of advocacy created America's first statewide law requiring police agencies to create media access policies.
- Oakland New OPD encrypted radios without consulting the police commission or city council.
- Oakland Scanner New Oakland spent over $1.5 million on radio encryption while under federal oversight for civil rights violations. The Anti Police-Terror Project calls it an attack on transparency.
- Berkeley New Despite Copwatch history and public opposition, Berkeley approved police radio encryption.
- Brazos County TX New County-wide encryption implemented with no public notice in the shadow of Uvalde.
- Colorado New How Colorado passed the first statewide law requiring police encryption policies include media access.
- Baltimore New Baltimore implemented a 15-minute delayed police scanner access model. Why delays still harm transparency.
- Baltimore Deep Dive New Baltimore encrypted police radios in 2023 despite an active DOJ consent decree. How a city under federal oversight went dark on public accountability.
- NY Hochul Veto New Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed 2025 legislation requiring press access to encrypted police radio.
- NYC Local Law 46 New How NYC became the first major American city to require press access to encrypted police radio in January 2026.
- Seattle New Seattle's balanced approach keeps dispatch channels open while encrypting tactical communications under PSERN.
- East Bay CA New How Alameda and Contra Costa counties coordinated a regional encryption rollout affecting nearly 3 million residents.
- Northern Virginia New Prince William County, Fairfax County, and other DC-area agencies coordinate encryption via PSERN, affecting 3+ million residents.
- Federal Way WA New Federal Way PD encrypted all communications in Q1 2026 via PSERN, part of the coordinated Puget Sound regional encryption wave.
- Decatur AL New Decatur Police Department encrypted dispatch in March 2026, bringing the encryption trend to smaller Southern cities.
- 2025-2026 Updates New Timeline of major police radio encryption developments in 2025-2026, including NYC's landmark legislation.
- Northeast Regional New Regional analysis of police encryption across the Northeast: NYPD $390M project, NJ statewide NJICS, Boston radio failure, and NYC Local Law 46 victory.
- Midwest Regional New Regional analysis of police encryption across the Midwest: Chicago 30-minute delay, Detroit full encryption, Highland Park transparency success, and consent decree impacts.
- Montgomery County MD New Montgomery County council considering police radio encryption in 2025. Status and advocacy resources.
- By State Interactive database of police radio encryption status across the United States.
- New Jersey State New New Jersey leads the nation in police encryption adoption with 45 new agencies discovered in 2026. Complete guide to NJICS, Newark, Jersey City.
- Lacey Township NJ New Armed robberies and police shootings happen in the dark. How one New Jersey town went from open police communications to complete informational blackout.
- Jackson Township NJ New Since 2006, Jackson Township NJ has hidden police operations behind encryption. The result: $2M settlements, excessive force lawsuits, and Facebook speculation replacing journalism.
- Monmouth County NJ New Sheriff Shaun Golden demands 100% encryption across Monmouth County with no exceptions. Over 620,000 residents locked out of monitoring their own police.
- Lavallette NJ New Encrypted radios since 2019, residents arrested for filming meetings, a department under prosecutor takeover, and governance dominated by one family. A case study in opacity.
- New Brunswick NJ New Deborah Terrell was killed by New Brunswick Police responding to a mental health call. Encrypted radios ensured the community learned nothing until her family demanded answers.
- California Deep dive into police radio encryption across California jurisdictions.
- San Jose CA New San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley, encrypted police radios one day before COVID-19 lockdowns. How the tech capital chose secrecy over transparency.
- Sacramento CA New Sacramento County Sheriff encrypted 18+ talkgroups while Sacramento PD maintains partial access. How California's capital navigates the state's encryption wave.
- Texas New Comprehensive guide to police radio encryption across Texas. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin - current status.
- Austin TX New Austin encrypted police radio in April 2024 after 19 officer indictments and ongoing accountability battles. How the tech capital chose secrecy over transparency.
- Florida New Comprehensive guide to police radio encryption across Florida. Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville - current status.
- New York State New NYPD's $390M encryption, Governor Hochul's veto, and NYC's landmark Local Law 46 requiring press access.
- Illinois State New Chicago's 30-minute delay vs Highland Park's life-saving open access during the 2022 mass shooting.
- Maryland State New Montgomery County's DC-suburb encryption vs Baltimore's 15-minute delay compromise.
- Pennsylvania State New Philadelphia and Pittsburgh maintain partial access while PA State Police is fully encrypted.
- Philadelphia PA New Philadelphia uses partial police encryption, keeping district dispatch open while encrypting tactical channels. How the city that wrote the Constitution is navigating transparency.
- Pittsburgh PA New Pittsburgh maintains partial police encryption while Allegheny County builds a system that could go fully dark. What is at stake for 1.2 million residents?
- Ohio State New Ohio's three C's have adopted partial encryption while rural areas remain open.
- Columbus OH New Columbus, Ohio maintained public scanner access while other major cities went dark. How Ohio's capital and largest city chose partial encryption, preserving transparency after 2020 protests and high-profile police shootings.
- Cincinnati OH New Cincinnati Police maintains partial encryption while Hamilton County stays largely open. Learn about scanner access in Ohio's third-largest city and the region's history of police transparency battles since the 2001 SPJ protest.
- Cleveland OH New Cleveland, Ohio maintains partial scanner access while navigating 11 years of federal oversight. The Tamir Rice legacy, consent decree reforms, and what Cleveland's approach means for police accountability.
- Michigan State New Detroit went fully encrypted in 2020 while Grand Rapids maintains transparency.
- Detroit MI New Detroit Police Department went fully encrypted in 2020, blocking public access in a city with complex police-community relations. Impact on journalism, transparency, and local activism.
- Minnesota State New Minneapolis accelerated encryption after 2020 protests, creating an accountability paradox.
- Massachusetts State New Boston encrypted in August 2025, with the Marathon bombing response as context. Analysis of New England transparency impacts.
- Boston MA New Boston Police encrypted all radio on August 9, 2025, just 9 days before a radio blackout during the Dominican Festival shooting. How America's oldest police force went dark.
- Georgia State New Atlanta went encrypted while Georgia's other major cities maintain transparency.
- Atlanta Georgia New Atlanta police radio is fully encrypted since 2021. How the civil rights capital silenced police communications during the Cop City controversy.
- Charlotte NC New America's 14th largest city and second-largest banking center uses tactical encryption with unpredictable full encryption during protests and elections.
- Arizona State New Phoenix and Maricopa County fully encrypted. Tucson maintains partial access.
- Washington State New Seattle and Puget Sound agencies adopted partial encryption, preserving some access.
- Boise Idaho New Good news: Boise and Treasure Valley police radio remains open. Guide to monitoring Idaho agencies.
- Porter County IN New Porter County Sheriff is encrypted but Portage PD remains accessible. Complete guide to Northwest Indiana scanner access.
- Indianapolis IN New Indianapolis Metropolitan Police remains accessible - one of the largest US cities with open scanner access. Guide to IMPD, Indiana State Police, and the encryption pressure from surrounding counties.
- Minneapolis MN New Minneapolis Police and most Twin Cities agencies are heavily encrypted. Guide to remaining options and advocacy.
- Minneapolis Accountability New Minneapolis encrypted police communications in May 2025, nearly five years after George Floyd's murder exposed critical transparency failures. A case study in encryption, surveillance, and community oversight.
- Kansas City MO New Kansas City Police encrypted radio communications in August 2021. A case study of how the entire KC metro area silenced public scanner access across two states.
- St. Louis MO New St. Louis encrypted police radios in October 2014 during Ferguson protests, setting a precedent for departments nationwide. The birthplace of modern police accountability protests.
- Milwaukee WI New Milwaukee became the first major American city to fully encrypt police radio in 2010. How the pioneer city set the playbook for nationwide secrecy.
- Denver CO New Denver Police went encrypted in 2022, creating an information blackout during emergencies. How encryption affected the Marshall Fire response, school lockdown communication, and local journalism.
- Las Vegas NV New Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (LVMPD) is fully encrypted. Guide to Clark County scanner access, 1 October context, and remaining options.
- Las Vegas Deep Dive New Comprehensive analysis of LVMPD radio encryption, the Route 91 mass shooting response, Clark County radio systems, Nevada public records, and casino industry influence on transparency.
- Santa Rosa CA New Santa Rosa PD and Sonoma County are fully encrypted. Guide to scanner access in Wine Country, wildfire monitoring alternatives, and advocacy.
- San Diego CA New San Diego PD encrypted in 2022. Analysis of how encryption affects America's 8th largest city, border coordination, wildfire coverage, and local journalism.
- Houston TX New Good news: Houston PD main dispatch remains open on P25. Guide to monitoring HPD, Harris County Sheriff, and surrounding agencies.
- Houston Deep Dive New Comprehensive analysis of Houston police radio access. Why America's 4th largest city maintains partial encryption, hurricane emergency importance, Harris County systems, and comparison to San Antonio's media model.
- Dallas TX New Dallas PD dispatch remains ~75% accessible, but DFW suburbs on NTIRN are heavily encrypted. Complete guide to monitoring Dallas, Fort Worth, and North Texas agencies.
- San Antonio TX New San Antonio proves encryption and transparency can coexist. For 30+ years, local newsrooms have accessed encrypted SAPD radio through a media terminal program.
- Jacksonville FL New Jacksonville Sheriff Office has partial encryption - main dispatch often accessible. Guide to monitoring JSO and Northeast Florida agencies.
- Miami FL New Miami-Dade and Miami Beach police are fully encrypted, blocking scanner access during hurricane season and emergencies. Complete guide to South Florida encryption.
- Tampa FL New Tampa and Hillsborough County maintain open police radio access while South Florida went dark. A success story in preserving transparency.
- Phoenix AZ New Phoenix metro is one of the largest fully-encrypted areas in the US. Guide to encryption status across Maricopa County.
- Seattle WA New Seattle uses a partial encryption model - dispatch open, tactical encrypted. Guide to the hybrid approach and King County access.
- Chicago IL New Chicago PD is fully encrypted with 30-minute delays. Contrast with Highland Park where open scanners helped save lives during the July 4th shooting.
- Nashville TN New Nashville Metro Police encrypted all radio in 2019. Christmas Day bombing, tornado coverage, and tourism safety implications for Music City.
- Memphis TN New Memphis maintains partial scanner access unlike Nashville. Guide to MPD, SCORPION unit, Tyre Nichols case, DOJ pattern-or-practice investigation, and the fight for transparency.
- LAPD Los Angeles New How LAPD's 2019 encryption affected wildfire coverage and reshaped news media in America's second-largest city.
- Uvalde Communications New How communication breakdowns during the Uvalde tragedy reveal the information vacuum encryption creates.
- SF Media Access New Analysis of San Francisco's media credentialing system for police radio access—a middle ground approach.
- San Francisco CA New San Francisco, birthplace of open government movements and tech transparency, encrypted SFPD radio in December 2021. How the city that prides itself on openness went dark.
- San Francisco Deep Dive New Comprehensive analysis of SFPD encryption, the media access program, tech industry context, 2020 protest surveillance, and what transparency advocates can do.
- LAPD Deep Dive New LAPD's 2019 encryption made Los Angeles the largest encrypted city in America. Analysis of the massive radio infrastructure, Hollywood/media coverage impact, and Southern California's encryption cascade.
- Chicago Deep Dive New Chicago's 30-minute delay and active censorship create America's most restrictive scanner system. Deep dive into consent decree context, 2020 protests, and comparison to Highland Park's life-saving transparency.
- DC Metro Police New Federal-local jurisdiction overlap creates unique challenges for police radio access in the nation's capital.
- Washington DC New The nation's capital went dark in 2011. MPD, Capitol Police, Secret Service all encrypted. How encryption affects transparency in the seat of American democracy.
- Eric Garner Case New What open scanner access meant for accountability during the Eric Garner case—and what's lost today under encryption.
- Portland Oregon New Portland Police encrypted radios on June 3, 2020, nine days after George Floyd's murder. How America's most protest-active city went dark during historic demonstrations.
- West Coast Trends New Regional analysis of police radio encryption across California, Oregon, and Washington. From LAPD's 2019 encryption to Palo Alto's reversal, track the patterns reshaping West Coast transparency.
- South Regional Trends New Regional analysis of police radio encryption across the American South. From Miami's blackout to Tampa's transparency, explore patterns in Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Louisiana.
- Mountain West Trends New Regional analysis of police radio encryption across Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Idaho. Tourism corridors, border regions, wildfire response, and the Colorado HB21-1250 model legislation.
- Timeline 70+ years of open communications and the post-2020 encryption surge.
- Albuquerque NM New Albuquerque Police maintains partial encryption while under DOJ oversight. Scanner guide for APD, Bernalillo County Sheriff, and metro area agencies.
- Tucson AZ New Tucson Police maintains partial encryption while suburban agencies remain open. Guide to monitoring TPD, Pima County Sheriff, and Southern Arizona agencies.
- Omaha NE New Good news: Omaha Police Department radio remains open to the public. Scanner guide for OPD, Douglas County Sheriff, and metro area agencies.
- Raleigh NC New Raleigh Police maintains partial encryption as the Research Triangle booms. Scanner guide for RPD, Wake County Sheriff, and Triangle area agencies.
- Virginia Beach VA New Virginia Beach Police maintains partial encryption while remaining accessible. Scanner guide for VBPD, Norfolk, and the Hampton Roads metro area.
- Encrypted vs Open New What life is really like in encrypted versus open cities. Highland Park vs Chicago, Tampa vs Miami. Real incidents, documented consequences.
- Before & After New Documented changes when cities encrypt police radio: journalism, emergency response, community awareness. Real examples from Chicago, Baltimore, Oakland, Los Angeles.
- Cost Analysis New Comprehensive cost analysis of police radio encryption. Implementation costs, hidden expenses, ROI comparison with proven programs. Chicago, LA, Baltimore, NYPD numbers.
Solutions & Action
How to fight encryption and what alternatives exist
- Campaign Timeline New A proven 90-day action plan for organizing against police radio encryption.
- FOIA Templates New Pre-written FOIA/public records requests to uncover encryption decisions and costs.
- Public Testimony New Ready-to-use testimony scripts and preparation guides for city council meetings.
- Build Coalitions New How to recruit fire/EMS, journalists, and community allies to fight encryption.
- Media Strategy New Templates for op-eds, letters to editors, press releases, and reporter pitches.
- Budget Intervention New How to identify and challenge encryption funding during budget season.
- Lobbying Guide New How to build relationships with council members, mayors, and commissioners on police encryption.
- Legal Pathways New FOIA challenges, civil rights attorney letters, demand letters, and lawsuit strategies.
- Toolkit New Consolidated templates, one-pagers, and print-friendly resources for your anti-encryption campaign.
- Social Media New TikTok, Reddit, Nextdoor, and Twitter/X tactics. Sample posts, hashtag coordination, and viral content strategies.
- Emergency Response New What to do when encryption is suddenly announced. Crisis templates, rapid coalition mobilization, and town hall organizing.
- Post-Victory New Preventing re-encryption attempts, policy language to lock in transparency, and long-term coalition maintenance.
- Events Calendar New Find city council meetings, police commission hearings, and legislative sessions where police encryption decisions are made.
- New York Guide New Practical guide for New York residents fighting police radio encryption. Build on NYC's Local Law 46 victory, revive state legislation after Hochul's veto, and organize local campaigns.
- Texas Guide New Texas-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Texas Public Information Act requests, state legislators, county commissioners, and local success stories.
- California Guide New Complete guide for California residents fighting police encryption. SB 719 support, CPRA templates, city council tactics, and the Palo Alto reversal playbook.
- Ohio Guide New Ohio-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Ohio Open Records Act requests, MARCS system advocacy, Cleveland consent decree context, and local strategies for Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
- Florida Guide New Florida-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Leverage the nation's strongest Sunshine Laws, Chapter 119 public records requests, and hurricane emergency response arguments.
- Illinois Guide New Illinois-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Highland Park proved scanners save lives. Chicago's 30-minute delay harms public safety. Learn how to protect scanner access.
- Pennsylvania Guide New Complete guide for Pennsylvania residents fighting police encryption. Philadelphia's partial model, Pittsburgh's P25 transition window, Right-to-Know Law templates, and state legislature contacts.
- New Jersey Guide New Complete guide for New Jersey residents fighting police encryption. NJICS statewide system, OPRA request templates, county freeholder contacts, NJ Press Association allies, and strategies to preserve remaining transparency.
- Washington Guide New Washington-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Seattle's partial model, Washington Public Records Act requests, state legislators, and preserving access in growing suburbs.
- Georgia Guide New Georgia-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Georgia Open Records Act requests, Atlanta metro strategies, Georgia State Patrol status, and building coalitions with media and legislators.
- Arizona Guide New Arizona-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Phoenix's partial encryption model, Arizona Public Records Law templates, border region considerations, and strategies for Maricopa County and Tucson.
- Nevada Guide New Nevada-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Nevada Public Records Act (NRS 239) requests, Clark County Commission contacts, tourism safety arguments, and October 1 mass shooting accountability lessons.
- North Carolina Guide New North Carolina-specific guide to fighting police encryption. NC Public Records Law requests, Charlotte and Raleigh strategies, state legislators, and protecting access in fast-growing metros.
- Minnesota Guide New Minnesota-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Minneapolis encrypted post-George Floyd, blocking accountability. Use the Data Practices Act, contact legislators, and restore transparency in the Twin Cities.
- Maryland Guide New Complete guide for Maryland residents fighting police encryption. Baltimore's 15-minute delay model, Montgomery County's encryption push, Maryland Public Information Act templates, DC metro coordination, and state legislature contacts.
- Colorado Guide New Complete guide for Colorado residents defending HB21-1250, the nation's first media access law. Denver is encrypted, but Colorado leads the legislative fight. CORA templates, wildfire context, and state contacts.
- Michigan Guide New Michigan-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Detroit's full encryption vs. Grand Rapids' open model. Michigan FOIA strategies, consent decree context, and local advocacy tactics.
- South Carolina Guide New South Carolina-specific guide to fighting police encryption. SC Freedom of Information Act requests, Charleston and Columbia strategies, 46 elected sheriffs, coastal emergency arguments, and media coalitions.
- Alabama Guide New Alabama-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Alabama Open Records Act requests, Birmingham and Mobile strategies, 67 elected sheriffs, tornado safety arguments, and media coalitions.
- Louisiana Guide New Louisiana-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Louisiana Public Records Law requests, New Orleans and Baton Rouge strategies, 64 parish sheriffs, hurricane emergency arguments, and Cajun Navy allies.
- Kentucky Guide New Kentucky-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Kentucky Open Records Act requests, Louisville LMPD strategies under federal consent decree, 120 elected sheriffs, and AG appeals process.
- Oklahoma Guide New Oklahoma-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Oklahoma Open Records Act requests, Oklahoma City and Tulsa strategies, 77 elected sheriffs, tornado safety arguments, and SKYWARN allies.
- Virginia Guide New Virginia-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Virginia Freedom of Information Act requests, state legislature contacts, DC metro coordination, and local strategies for Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads.
- Tennessee Guide New Tennessee-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Tennessee Public Records Act requests, state legislature contacts, Nashville Metro model, and local strategies for Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.
- Indiana Guide New Indiana-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Indiana Access to Public Records Act requests, state legislature contacts, Indianapolis metro strategies, and local tactics for Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville.
- Wisconsin Guide New Wisconsin-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Wisconsin Public Records Law requests, state legislature contacts, Milwaukee's encryption impact, and local strategies for Madison, Green Bay, and rural Wisconsin.
- Missouri Guide New Missouri-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Missouri Sunshine Law requests, state legislature contacts, St. Louis and Kansas City strategies, and Ferguson DOJ consent decree context for accountability advocacy.
- Oregon Guide New Oregon-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Portland's encryption threatens post-2020 accountability efforts. Use Oregon Public Records Law, contact legislators, and protect transparency in the Willamette Valley and beyond.
- Connecticut Guide New Connecticut-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Use Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act, contact state legislators, and protect transparency in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and across the state.
- Iowa Guide New Iowa-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Use Iowa Open Records Law, contact legislators, and protect transparency in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and across Iowa's 99 counties.
- Kansas Guide New Kansas-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Use Kansas Open Records Act, contact legislators, and protect transparency in Wichita, Kansas City metro, Topeka, and across Kansas's 105 counties.
- Utah Guide New Utah-specific guide to fighting police encryption. Use GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management Act), contact legislators, and protect transparency in Salt Lake City, Provo, and across Utah's counties.
- Rhode Island Guide New Complete guide for Rhode Island residents fighting police encryption. APRA request templates, legislative contacts, Providence tactics, and coalition building strategies.
- South Dakota Guide New Complete guide for South Dakota residents fighting police encryption. Sioux Falls and Rapid City encrypted in 2023. SDCL 1-27 request templates, legislative contacts, and reversal tactics.
- Vermont Guide New Complete guide for Vermont residents fighting police encryption. Burlington encrypted without notice. Vermont Public Records Act templates, legislative contacts, and transparency tactics.
- West Virginia Guide New Complete guide for West Virginia residents preserving police radio transparency. WV FOIA templates, legislative contacts, WVSIRN system information, and proactive advocacy tactics.
- Wyoming Guide New Complete guide for Wyoming residents preserving police radio transparency. Wyoming Public Records Act templates, Wyolink system info, legislative contacts, and proactive advocacy tactics.
- DC Guide New Complete guide for DC residents fighting police encryption. MPD encrypted since 2011. DC FOIA templates, DC Council contacts, and tactics for the unique federal-local dynamic.
- Fight Guide Step-by-step tactical guide for stopping police encryption in your community.
- Alternatives Better solutions exist that protect privacy without blocking public access.
- Model Laws Ready-to-use policy templates and legislative language.
- Success Stories Documented victories where communities stopped or reversed encryption.
- Palo Alto Playbook New A tactical deep-dive into Palo Alto's 20-month campaign that reversed police radio encryption. Timeline, key players, winning arguments, and replicable strategies.
- NYC Playbook New Deep-dive tactical guide on how NYC's media coalition built bipartisan support, overcame NYPD opposition, and passed landmark legislation requiring press access to encrypted police radio.
- Get Involved New Join the movement to keep police communications public. Find ways to contribute based on your skills, start local organizing, and help spread the word.
- Legislative Tracker New Track encryption-related legislation across all 50 states. See which bills passed, which failed, and where active bills need your support.
- Legal Resources New Comprehensive legal resources for fighting police radio encryption. Court cases, First Amendment precedents, state-by-state legal summaries, pro bono resources, and how to find a First Amendment lawyer.
- Partners New Connect with media coalitions, civil liberties groups, and government accountability organizations working to preserve public access to police communications.
- Journalist Kit New Printable action kit for journalists covering police radio encryption. Includes talking points, FOIA templates, and advocacy strategies.
- Official Kit New Comprehensive briefing for elected officials on police radio encryption policy. Includes policy considerations and model legislation.
- Fact Sheet New One-page printable fact sheet on police radio encryption. Key statistics, talking points, and resources for advocacy.
- Talking Points New Pocket-sized talking points card for city council meetings. Key arguments and counter-arguments in quick-reference format.
Education & Resources
Learn about police radio technology and research
- How Scanners Work Complete guide to police scanner technology and radio systems.
- Encryption Guide New Everything you need to know about police radio encryption: what it is, why it's spreading, and what you can do.
- Hobby Under Threat New Police encryption is eliminating scanner access nationwide. Learn why your hobby is under threat and how scanner enthusiasts are fighting back.
- Encryption Map 2026 New Interactive map of 3,500+ encrypted police agencies across all 50 states. See which departments have gone dark, regional trends, and the post-2020 encryption surge.
- Radio Silence New Police departments are going silent, cutting off communities from emergency information. Learn what dispatch radio silence means and why it matters.
- Encrypted Scanners New Looking for a scanner that decodes encrypted police radio? Learn why no such product exists and what you can do.
- Decrypt Police Radio New Searching for how to decrypt police radio? Learn why it's impossible, illegal, and what you can actually do.
- Glossary Technical terminology explained for police radio and encryption.
- Encryption Types Understanding different encryption systems and implementations.
- Sources Comprehensive bibliography of evidence on police radio encryption.
- Academic Research New Peer-reviewed research supporting police radio transparency. Academic studies on accountability, media access, public safety communication, and community trust.
- First Amendment Constitutional analysis of press freedom and scanner access.
- Community Policing Why encryption contradicts stated community policing goals.
- Fire/EMS Issues How police encryption harms multi-agency emergency coordination.
- Environmental Chemical spills, hazmat incidents, and public health emergencies.
- Buying Guide New Complete buying guide for first-time scanner buyers. Compare models, learn what to check before buying, and understand why encryption may make your purchase useless.
- Digital Scanner Guide New Complete digital scanner buying guide from $25 SDR setups to $700 premium P25 scanners. Learn about trunking, P25 Phase I/II, and check if encryption makes your purchase useless.
- 10-Codes New Complete guide to police 10-codes, phonetic alphabet, and scanner terminology. Learn what 10-4, 10-20, and other codes mean.
- Active Shooter Safety New How police scanner access provides critical real-time information during active shooter events. Case studies from Highland Park and beyond.
- Laws by State New State-by-state guide to police scanner laws. Learn where scanners are legal, vehicle restrictions, and what you can do in every U.S. state.
- Legal in Car New Complete guide to police scanner vehicle laws by state. Learn which 5 states have restrictions and what really happens during traffic stops.
- Encryption Response New Your police department just announced encryption. Here's your action plan for the first 72 hours, first week, and beyond.
- Journalists Guide New Essential guide for journalists on police scanner rights, encryption impacts, and fighting for press access.
- Wildfire Safety New How to use police scanners during wildfire season. Monitor CAL FIRE and emergency channels for real-time evacuation info.
- SDR Guide New Complete guide to using Software Defined Radio as a police scanner. Hardware, software, and setup process.
- Programming Guide New Step-by-step guide to programming your police scanner. Find frequencies, program channels, and troubleshoot common issues.
- Trunked Radio Guide New Learn how trunked radio systems work, why agencies use them, common protocols like P25 and Motorola, and how to monitor them with your scanner. Understand why trunking doesn't require encryption.
- P25 Radio Guide New Understand Project 25 (P25) digital radio systems - how they work, Phase I vs Phase II differences, why digital doesn't mean encrypted, and how to listen.
- DMR Radio Guide New Understand DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) systems - how they work, DMR vs P25 differences, time slots, color codes, talk groups, and how to listen with SDR.
- Neighborhood Watch New How neighborhood watch groups use police scanners to protect their communities and why encryption threatens local safety efforts.
- FOIA Requests New Step-by-step guide to obtaining police radio recordings through Freedom of Information Act requests.
- History New Explore 100 years of police radio history, from the first broadcasts in 1921 to today's encryption debate.
- Trucker Guide New Complete guide to police scanners for truckers. CDL-specific laws, best mobile scanners, and highway patrol frequencies.
- Security Guide New How private security professionals use police scanners for situational awareness and the impact of encryption on operations.
- Weather & Storms New Essential scanner frequencies for severe weather monitoring, storm chasing, and emergency preparedness.
- Council Advocacy New A practical guide to advocating against police radio encryption at city council meetings.
- Antenna Guide New Compare the best antennas for police scanners. Base station, handheld, and mobile options to dramatically improve reception.
- Budget Scanners New Affordable police scanner options under $100. Compare budget handheld scanners and SDR alternatives for beginners.
- Accessories Guide New Complete guide to police scanner accessories: programming cables, antennas, cases, mounts, and power adapters.
- Car Scanner Guide New Find the best police scanner for your car. Compare handheld vs. mobile units, learn installation tips, and state laws.
- Scanner vs App New Compare police scanner hardware vs. smartphone apps. Understand the real differences in coverage, reliability, and cost.
- Scanner Apps Guide New Compare the best police scanner streaming apps. Broadcastify, Scanner Radio, 5-0 Radio, OpenMHz. Learn how streaming apps work and why encryption makes them useless.
- Gift Guide New Find the perfect police scanner gift. From budget-friendly options to premium models, plus essential accessories.
- Price Comparison New Complete police scanner comparison chart. Compare all major models side-by-side: features, digital capabilities, and prices.
- SDS100 vs BCD436HP New Comprehensive comparison of Uniden SDS100 vs BCD436HP. Features, price, performance, and which one you should buy.
- 2026 Buying Guide New Best police scanners for 2026 compared. SDS100, BCD436HP, desktop, mobile, and budget options reviewed with prices.
- SDS100 vs SDS200 New Compare Uniden SDS100 handheld vs SDS200 desktop scanner. Same technology, different form factors. Find which is right for you.
- Whistler vs Uniden New Compare Whistler vs Uniden police scanners. TRX-1 vs SDS100, features, prices, and which brand is right for you.
- Cheapest P25 Scanner New Find the cheapest way to monitor P25 digital police radio. Compare SDR dongles, budget scanners, and best value options.
- Budget Radios New Complete guide to using budget BAOFENG and DMR radios for police monitoring. Learn what works, what doesn't, and why encryption still blocks access.
- What Still Works New Police encrypted? Here's what you can still monitor: fire, EMS, weather, aircraft, and more. Equipment recommendations and alternative sources.
- Emergency Weather Guide New Complete guide to emergency weather radios, NOAA alerts, and scanner monitoring during disasters. Equipment recommendations for storm chasers, preppers, and families.
- Desktop Scanners New Complete guide to desktop/base station scanners for home monitoring. Compare SDS200, BCD996P2, HomePatrol-2, and BCD536HP.
- Indoor Antennas New Indoor antenna options when outdoor mounting isn't possible. Apartment, HOA-restricted, and rental solutions.
- Power & UPS New Power supplies and UPS systems for police scanners. Keep monitoring through outages with battery backup.
- Desk Setup New Set up an organized scanner monitoring station at home. Equipment placement, cable management, and station organization.
- External Speakers New Improve scanner audio clarity with external speakers. Communications-optimized speakers for desktop and base station scanners.
- Go-Bag Kit New Build a complete emergency evacuation radio kit. Handheld scanners, weather radios, batteries, and solar chargers for disaster preparedness.
- Solar & Battery New Off-grid power solutions for emergency radio monitoring. Solar chargers, power stations, and battery packs for extended outages.
- Weather Radios New NOAA weather radio buying guide. S.A.M.E. technology, emergency alert features, and top recommendations.
- Power Outage Kit New Build an emergency radio kit for power outages. Weather radios, handheld scanners, and battery solutions for blackout preparedness.
- FAQ New Comprehensive FAQ covering police scanner basics, encryption explained, how to fight back, success stories, and technical questions.
- Infographics New Free downloadable infographics, social media graphics, and visual assets to support your police radio transparency advocacy.
- Video Library New Curated collection of news reports, documentaries, expert interviews, and public testimony about police radio encryption.