Citizen, the real-time crime alerting app, is growing in big cities using Scanners

[eaf1956]

Another reason for encryption ! Stupid crap like this is killing the scanning industry. Why broadcast to the world? If you want to know you will get the equipment to know.

My local LEs requested certain talkgroups be blocked. This was not an issue as the talkgroups would not be allowed under RR's TOS anyway. So everyone is happy.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[AC8VF]

Not sure if this was posted before. I found it interesting. Was looking at all the apps out there. A name change only?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...e-alerts-relaunches-as-citizen/?noredirect=on

 

[kc7mpm]

Somehow,....In some unknown way this whole encryption thing is going to come back to bite them some day.

 

[kc7mpm]

I have yet to get the app on my Apple phone. I do listen to Broadcastify on this computer and, at first, only to certain feeds where relatives are, then I found it helped out my news junkie habit. It was handy when listening to the fires in California and I was able to actually help someone evacuate and plan his route for him. Couldn't have done that without Broadcastify, and while still not a complete advocate, I admit I make exceptions. Now, when I see something worth monitoring that looks to be somewhat immediate and prolonged, I will hop on Broadcastify and look up the location and monitor their live feeds. I'll get my information any way I can.

JD
kf4anc

PS - my better half had a light-hearted suggestion. How about migrating a policy into the scanner laws in each state and make scanner feed monitoring only allowed in the general population by Fcc-licensed amateur radio operators(as well as emergency personnel, media, etc) Not only would it discourage app abusers, but it would motivate some to test for their tickets and invigorate the hobby. Something to think about huh.

But that would make too much sense.

 

[EarlSuitor]

Many times in the last 40 years I have helped with first aid, CPR, and reporting suspect locations to LE as an EMT, Paramedic, Firefighter, ER tech, etc. as a direct result of my scanner. Often this positive aspect is not discussed, only that the bad guy can listen. If there is a cardiac arrest next door, and the next due EMS is some distance..... my scanner may save a life. Earl

 

[pkneeyahx]

so, are we supposed to update the app instead of calling the police? LOL

 

[poltergeisty]

Just curious, how does this show the importance of scanners?

Did you bother to read the article?

 

[poltergeisty]

Cops in NYC really despise the app. I've heard it from numerous cop friends who say everytime they're on a routine radio call, people just start showing up recording and interfering with their jobs. I think this was also a reason for them to set their eyes on encryption. As much as I love the app, I really wish they implemented a paid subscription to keep it sanctioned. Nearly every person I know has the app installed on their smartphone and the second the hear a siren they check the app.

Don't get me wrong, I love the app but it's a double edge sword.

Great post. This is what I read in the article and what I suspected would happen. I see it as a great tool to keep you informed during an emergency, etc. But I also see it used by the curios. It really is a double edged sword. I can only imagine how this App was used during the Camp Fire in California. I saw many people on Twitter trying to get in contact with people that lived there. I saw James Woods coordinate an effort to get people in contact with one another. Charlie Sheen was also trying to get in contact with his family.

Perhaps Homeland Security can release a similar App for national emergencies.

 

[Giddyuptd]

I remember wanting to do the right thing once when I heard a police foot chase that was happening in my apartment complex in Kissimmee, FL. I heard the coms and went out to my balcony with my BC200XLT in hand and just happened to see the guy across the courtyard hunkering down on someone's patio behind their grill. I thought I'd be a helpful citizen and report it, called the PD. They took my info and then I heard the dispatcher say 'guy with a scanner called it in, says he has eyes on the suspect'...a split second later the shift sgt. calls and says 'find out where the scanner guy lives and check him out. I don't like that.' I was stunned. I guess he said it just to scare me, because no one ever showed up at my door, but I thought that a bit rude. Why would a police officer not appreciate a citizen's help in catching a criminal? I remember thinking, there's something wrong with that. Since then, I've always been a careful observer and a reluctant participant. I've reported my share of drunk drivers on the interstate in 17 yrs of professional driving, and a few crimes in progress, terrible accidents, and the discovery of a dead body (fellow driver took a wheel nap at rest area and never woke up) but I will always remember the scanner call that could have been ugly. Even tho I come from a family of LEOs, I had forgotten the unspoken rule and attitude which has only amplified in modern times - it's us (LEO) against them. No truer than it is today, unfortunately.

It took a family member and LEO to remind me of that. There is a fundamental wall....

JD
kf4anc

The reason he most likely had you checked on is, as I have personally seen it ghost calls are made to draw LE away from a given area as a good caller when it's the suspects friend or himself calling it in to get a perimeter broken for a escape once the ghost is clear he splits for it. Has happened numerous times.

I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it other than to validate the call as seen yeah legit RP.

 

[santafe2016]

Can you only imagine comments from LEO and Fire when you see more Smart Phones showing up, the Police already cringe when they know the media is on scene. Support the hobby buy a scanner and listen but don;t chase the runs as they happen

 

[DaveNF2G]

The police cringe because they don't favor anyone watching what they do. I would think that, if radio communications are blacked out to the public, people will go back to the time-honored habit of going in person to see what is happening. That's what happened before radio.

 

[cajunjerry]

Just what all EMS/PD/ FD's want...said absolutely no one.

Only us who support the 1st admenment of this United states constitution

 

[cajunjerry]

Can you only imagine comments from LEO and Fire when you see more Smart Phones showing up, the Police already cringe when they know the media is on scene. Support the hobby buy a scanner and listen but don;t chase the runs as they happen

Citizen journalists have the right to go to any scene and video

 

[DonJuanIII]

I remember reading an argument at one time that the "airwaves" belong to the public, therefore everyone has the right to know what's being said, etc. ?

 

[radio3353]

I remember reading an argument at one time that the "airwaves" belong to the public, therefore everyone has the right to know what's being said, etc. ?

Don't believe everything you read. "Airwaves" do not belong to the public. Yes, anybody can stick an antenna into the air and receive a signal. But, that does not mean you have a right to hear what is being said.

 

[radio3353]

Only us who support the 1st admenment of this United states constitution

Show me where in the 1st amendment you have a right to listen to proprietary communications? Just because you paid taxes to fund a communication system does not mean you own it or have any rights to it. Prove me wrong.

 

[Wackyracer]

Show me where in the 1st amendment you have a right to listen to proprietary communications? Just because you paid taxes to fund a communication system does not mean you own it or have any rights to it. Prove me wrong.

If your tax dollars paid the people using the system as part of their job, then they are obligated to be fully transparent, it is much easier to just let the public listen in then write a transcript. In the name of transparency 99% or transmissions should open. I do however believe that active tactical operations transmissions should NOT be open, but still should be released in 24-48hrs after the operation is completed or a conviction in case of surveillance activity.

 

[DaveNF2G]

Actually, the FCC regulates the airwaves as a public trust, so they do "belong" to us.

 

[AC8VF]

Somehow,....In some unknown way this whole encryption thing is going to come back to bite them some day.

Yes, I hope it just bites them.

 

[AC8VF]

Another reason for encryption ! Stupid crap like this is killing the scanning industry. Why broadcast to the world? If you want to know you will get the equipment to know.

I agree with you.

What “Citizen” is doing is a like a business. I don't use these apps. But they must use advertisements to pay for it. This is a middleman making a dollar. It's not the same as a “personal” hobby. I also saw comments on the E thing.( not to talk about it) It's going there cause this is where it will end up with this stuff going on. I would rather see laws to stop streaming LE to the public rather than more e. I used a little e.