Just received word that the new Henderson County P25 System will be encrypting all law enforcement agencies.
Folks, those of us who have monitored P25 Systems and the use of encryption agree that sensitive and confidential communications should be encrypted at the option of their dispatch centers.
When these Cities are no longer broadcasting basic Dispatch Channels Digitally without encryption ,which can warn rural residents of hazards entering their communities, perhaps a burglar in their neighborhood or a major medical alert with a neighbor, they are losing the ability of the Community to provide critical information to law enforcement agencies that they could provide assistance or real time updates to Dispatch Centers.
I reiterate, if there is sensitive information involving surveillance or criminal apprehension then those channels should have the option of encryption.
When we take basic dispatch broadcasts away from the public domain and from those of us that have the ability to use modern day p25 capable expensive scanner equipment to monitor what we have the right to know and in the rare instance, offer real time assistance to dispatch centers, then this is a major (expensive) mistake that Harris and Motorola have sold to these Counties and Cities.
P25 radio systems and the system that Henderson County is putting in place will definitely improve communications, capabilities and life saving emergency broadcasts to our first responders as well as it should, but shutting the public out of non-sensitive dispatch transmissions so Cities can be totally encrypted and prevent news media or neighboring agencies from understanding what is going on in our backyards will be a huge mistake.
We ask Henderson County to speak with other P25 agencies throughout the great state of Texas and see why they are not encrypting Law Enforcement Dispatch channels and simply encrypting when necessary for sensitive communications.
Alerting the public that a suspect is running through their backyard, a major wreck is shutting down a local highway or a drowning victim needs immediate assistance does not need to be (hidden) from the good citizens who care about their Communities.
An expensive, unnecessary burden on the taxpayers of Henderson County.
The TXWarn System is already in place and has the p25 phase 2 capabilities to provide Henderson City the opportunity to speak with other state agencies currently using the system.
Henderson County residents are throwing away millions developing a totally encrypted radio system that they honestly do not need.
Folks, those of us who have monitored P25 Systems and the use of encryption agree that sensitive and confidential communications should be encrypted at the option of their dispatch centers.
When these Cities are no longer broadcasting basic Dispatch Channels Digitally without encryption ,which can warn rural residents of hazards entering their communities, perhaps a burglar in their neighborhood or a major medical alert with a neighbor, they are losing the ability of the Community to provide critical information to law enforcement agencies that they could provide assistance or real time updates to Dispatch Centers.
I reiterate, if there is sensitive information involving surveillance or criminal apprehension then those channels should have the option of encryption.
When we take basic dispatch broadcasts away from the public domain and from those of us that have the ability to use modern day p25 capable expensive scanner equipment to monitor what we have the right to know and in the rare instance, offer real time assistance to dispatch centers, then this is a major (expensive) mistake that Harris and Motorola have sold to these Counties and Cities.
P25 radio systems and the system that Henderson County is putting in place will definitely improve communications, capabilities and life saving emergency broadcasts to our first responders as well as it should, but shutting the public out of non-sensitive dispatch transmissions so Cities can be totally encrypted and prevent news media or neighboring agencies from understanding what is going on in our backyards will be a huge mistake.
We ask Henderson County to speak with other P25 agencies throughout the great state of Texas and see why they are not encrypting Law Enforcement Dispatch channels and simply encrypting when necessary for sensitive communications.
Alerting the public that a suspect is running through their backyard, a major wreck is shutting down a local highway or a drowning victim needs immediate assistance does not need to be (hidden) from the good citizens who care about their Communities.
An expensive, unnecessary burden on the taxpayers of Henderson County.
The TXWarn System is already in place and has the p25 phase 2 capabilities to provide Henderson City the opportunity to speak with other state agencies currently using the system.
Henderson County residents are throwing away millions developing a totally encrypted radio system that they honestly do not need.
