In small communities like Dolan Springs and Meadview the police scanner is how we shares various information about fires or criminals at large in our community. The police scanner and Facebook are how we get news in small communities.
California police agencies are being required to encrypt their radio communications. News agencies and others say encryption of radio traffic and the lack of transparency sets a dangerous precedent.
In small communities the police scanner is how the public gets knowledge about what's going on in their community. In big cities it's the news media that shares information about fires or criminals at large, in small communities it's the people who share information.
Some agencies in the area use a digital format for their radio communications called P25. It basically does what encryption does as far as scanners, you can't listen without buying an expensive digital scanner.
Some people will tell you we need expensive radios with P25 to communicate with these agencies, but the law requires all first responder agencies to be able to transmit "in the clear" so when mutual aid is required all agencies can communicate.
The LMRFD board needs to make a resolution that the LMRFD will not use any means of digitalizing or encrypting radio signals unless required by law.
We have the right to know what's going on in our community. There's a reason all first responder radio traffic is recorded, so there's transparency and no he said, she said. We have the right to know what's happening in our community.
In 1988 I was listening to my scanner when a Spokane police officer was stung by a bee and was going into anaphylactic shock when he made one transmission calling for help. The dispatcher didn't here his call, but I did. We were only a few blocks away and responded dragging him from his patrol car opening his airway and calling for EMS.
This is another reason we need to listen to local first responders, you never know when they may need OUR help...
No comments:
Post a Comment