Within the past week a number of sensitive Philadelphia Police Dept. District tactical talkgroups were added to the database (basically talkgroups that were added with IDs greater than 129). They are used by 5 Squad personnel for surveillance purposes and are not encrypted. They were added when PPD went to P25 Phase I a few years ago. They are not encrypted because the radios are part of the same group that the regular 1, 2, and 3 Squad (regular patrol) use. In fact all of the district radios are configured with those talkgroups programmed.
Since these talkgroups were added, an officer friend of mine who knows several commanders at Police administration headquarters confirm that they are aware of these postings and they are not happy. PPD is now forced to make changes. Let's not hope that they move toward total encryption - since encrypting the talkgroups would require adding encryption hardware and traffic keys to the remaining radios.
Several years ago before Philly switched to P25 Phase I (they were still using the 3600 baud control channel with P25 CAI voice) a number of Special Unit talkgroups were added to the RR database which was known throughout the department. Commanders again found out about these additions. I tried unsuccessfully to have them removed. But it's Radio Reference policy to not remove (censor) talkgroups after they are posted - even if an agency requests. Therefore the talkgroups stayed. When the City switched to P25 Phase I, a decision was made to strap encrypt all special unit talkgroups because of the information in the database.
In an related event, shortly after the San Bernardino terrorist shooting, during a high level meeting, a question was asked about whether PPD radio feeds were available via smart phone apps since the media reported they were used in California during the shooting. A member of a special unit in the meeting verified that every district and citywide talk group is streamed. The new police commissioner and mayor was in attendance and they were shocked.
And another event which forced the Philly Fire Dept. to encrypt their fireground tactical talkgroups stemmed from a feud between several fire buffs and fire administration. PFD planned to keep these talkgroups clear and use the analog simplex channels for primary fireground before a big stink was made by the fire buff. Again another example of one to two people ruining it for the rest of us.
So I am pleading with anyone wanting to contribute these talkgroups, please think twice before you force the PPD's hand to encrypt all communications. You don't want to be the reason they finally encrypt and ruin it for all of us!
thank you,
Since these talkgroups were added, an officer friend of mine who knows several commanders at Police administration headquarters confirm that they are aware of these postings and they are not happy. PPD is now forced to make changes. Let's not hope that they move toward total encryption - since encrypting the talkgroups would require adding encryption hardware and traffic keys to the remaining radios.
Several years ago before Philly switched to P25 Phase I (they were still using the 3600 baud control channel with P25 CAI voice) a number of Special Unit talkgroups were added to the RR database which was known throughout the department. Commanders again found out about these additions. I tried unsuccessfully to have them removed. But it's Radio Reference policy to not remove (censor) talkgroups after they are posted - even if an agency requests. Therefore the talkgroups stayed. When the City switched to P25 Phase I, a decision was made to strap encrypt all special unit talkgroups because of the information in the database.
In an related event, shortly after the San Bernardino terrorist shooting, during a high level meeting, a question was asked about whether PPD radio feeds were available via smart phone apps since the media reported they were used in California during the shooting. A member of a special unit in the meeting verified that every district and citywide talk group is streamed. The new police commissioner and mayor was in attendance and they were shocked.
And another event which forced the Philly Fire Dept. to encrypt their fireground tactical talkgroups stemmed from a feud between several fire buffs and fire administration. PFD planned to keep these talkgroups clear and use the analog simplex channels for primary fireground before a big stink was made by the fire buff. Again another example of one to two people ruining it for the rest of us.
So I am pleading with anyone wanting to contribute these talkgroups, please think twice before you force the PPD's hand to encrypt all communications. You don't want to be the reason they finally encrypt and ruin it for all of us!
thank you,
