Almost busted for scanning near crime scene

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by EC-7

Why is it always ok for the news to do it, but yet an individual not to? Doesn't that count as double standards?

Uhh, YES!!

Sort of what Press Passes are all about.

[n5ims]

Originally Posted by EC-7

Isnt this EXACTLY what every single news reporter and station does? Isnt this how they get 90% of their news, listening to the scanner and driving to the scene to look and take pics/video?

Not exactly. They listen to their scanner, drive to the scene, and let the officer in command (or whomever they find that appears in control of the scene) know who they are and what they're doing. They also establish any ground rules for their presence in special situations.

This notification can be done in several ways. In person by going up to the scene commander or by being clearly identified as press by wearing the "NewsCenter 7" jacket and having the circle 7 logo on the camera.

Establishing a relationship with the various officers is quite important for getting the "best" coverage. They will get to know you and you will learn how they work. This will allow both parties to do their jobs without getting in eachother's way. Quite often an officer you know will tell you to stand in a certain spot. This will both be a relatively safe spot and provide you with coverage of an event that is about to happen that others will probably miss.

[jafarm66]

I can only speak for Florida - down here without an Amateur Radio License it is illegal to use a scanner in your car. Also if it is legal with an Amatuer license keep a hardcopy of the law with you in case a cop ever pulls you over etc. Check Michigan laws to see what their policy is regarding scanners in cars.

NEVER goto a crime scene it's just common sense, Also nobody wants the cops always hounding them.

[mdulrich]

Originally Posted by tengoindiamike

The encounter ended abruptly.

You forgot to mention that you pay his salary.

Mike

[mikey60]

Originally Posted by jafarm66

I can only speak for Florida - down here without an Amateur Radio License it is illegal to use a scanner in your car. Also if it is legal with an Amatuer license keep a hardcopy of the law with you in case a cop ever pulls you over etc. Check Michigan laws to see what their policy is regarding scanners in cars.

NEVER goto a crime scene it's just common sense, Also nobody wants the cops always hounding them.

Michigan law was changed at the end of May 2006. It is no longer illegal to have a scanner in a vehicle.

It's only illegal to have a scanner in Michigan if you are committing a crime, or if you have been convicted of a felony in the last 5 years. In that case, it's illegal to have a scanner at all, not only in a car.

It's still not a good idea to show up at the scene of something that you hear on the scanner.

Mike

[gewecke]

No is the answer...unless the tv stations and/or newspapers use investigative reporters which have special clearances to respond as longas the scene is safe.
Most of the news gathering agencies in smaller areas rely on what's known as "blotter reports".
The public safety agencies will call in a few times a week to the tv or radio stations with local reports.
N9ZAS.

[idontknow82]

Originally Posted by redhelmet13

You are one of the reasons encryption is used.

Thats really a bad excuse just to go encrypted for just one thing. Its for hiding their illegal activities and police brutality now that no one can hear them.

[ctpd845]

Originally Posted by idontknow82

Thats really a bad excuse just to go encrypted for just one thing. Its for hiding their illegal activities and police brutality now that no one can hear them.

How is having an encrypted radio system allowing police brutality to happen. Unless radios with encryption make better weapons.

But I really don't think that having or not having an encrypted system is going to allow or stop illegal activites to happen. I Do think that certain SWAT and tac channels should be encrypted for officer safety, but not dispatch channels.

[wise871]

OCSD? Which department is that?

[tengoindiamike]

Oakland County Sherrif's Department, Oakland County,Michigan Metro Detroit

[rdale]

Ignore idontknow82, he's just a troll.

[idontknow82]

Originally Posted by rdale

Ignore idontknow82, he's just a troll.

No....I been here a while...

[nsrailfan6130]

Tengoindiamike,

If you ask me, that officer should've confiscated your scanner regardless of the fact that you had nothing to say to him. Also let me ask you something, Why not just tell the truth if you had nothing to hide?

[MPSCS]

I think everyone is overacting. The OP did not break any laws. Yes he could have been more cooperative, but in this day and age, had he done so they may have turned it into something more than it was.

As for confiscating his scanner...on what grounds?

[jleverin]

Originally Posted by C138Kaysone

If i remember so far back as i was told stories about this crazy person who shows up on these calls, the local police agency upgraded their radios and now they cannot afford a trunked digital scanner lol..

Yes, that's why this stuff makes me so angry. Maybe I was a little hard on the OP, he didn't actually do anything WRONG per se, it was just a not so smart thing to do. I get angry about this stuff because the cops are so paranoid about people hearing them anymore, more and more agencies are moving to encryption. I can still hear the local police and fire calls but even the fire station jumps to the "med channel" when they go out and you can't hear anything else that goes on. The state patrol and the county sheriff have moved to a different system that my scanners can't pick up. The only alternative is buying a $500 radio that may or may not be the solution. It just upsets me when people commit crimes with a scanner because it means they are going away for all of us. That's why I went into ham radio, because it seems the scanning hobby is going the way of the dinosaurs.

[MPSCS]

Re-reading the OP, it doesn't even appear that anyone even knew he had a scanner.

[N_Jay]

Right.

He was acting more like someone who was waiting for the police to leave so he could join in the fight.
(Why else would someone drive by a fight a few times)

[garryd451]

I Have an uncle that used to be a "police calll chaser" then about 40 years ago he ended up at a very very bad traffic accident with the person involved in the accident scattered in many pieces all over the road. The person turned out to be my uncle's best friend. To this day, my uncle has NEVER chase another police call!!!

[nsrailfan6130]

SIG-INT,

This is just my opinion only, but, You better think about what you are saying for a bit, he was seen in the vicinity of the fight. Right or wrong? If he would have been stopped, I would think "interferring with an official in the performance of his or her duties" would fit in nicely as a cause. He pretty much refused to say anything because he was scared of possibly getting arrested and/having his radio taken for the above reason PLUS I would think obstruction. I think that's a pretty fair statement. Again just my opinion.

[MPSCS]

Here is some good advice for everyone when dealing with the police.
YouTube - Dont Talk to Police

Take time to watch the entire video.