> but police forces around the country are almost universally encrypted <
I’m surprised, and disappointed, to hear that. Every police force near me still broadcasts in the open. But I supposed that will eventually change.
I get that there are good reasons for encryptions. However, that must be balanced against the public’s right to know. So, yeah. Encrypt submarine transmissions. But leave police and fire transmissions open.
The exact arguments the news stations are using in Chicago right now were used back when the Jacksonville PD started using encryption over 10 years ago.
There is a legitimate argument to be made about criminals using cheap handheld scanners to listen to where cops were being dispatched to plan even more crimes, etc..
However, from my home I can get listen to the Jacksonville FD and a couple of more FDs in my area.
When radio traffic went digital and things like trunking and talk groups became standard it was only a matter of time before PDs everywhere went encrypted, fortunately FDs are still open for listening.
The downside for geeks like me is the cost of a modern scanner capable of picking up digital systems that are trunked and simulcast has really gone up.
The usual reason is so that bad guys with scanners will not be privy to the cops being on their way.
I would like the transmissions to be available on the department’s website, after maybe an hour delay.