Update. I believe Columbus Police and Fire took the encryption off. There is no encryption, I believe. I do not know about Muscogee County.
Columbus (GA) Public Safety Gone
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seth21w
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Its showing back online with listeners on the app for now.
Apparently, just because they could. I retired from CPD in 2007 after 30+ years. During a large portion of that time, I handled Crime Analysis and saw virtually every incident report created. I don't recall ever seeing anything that indicated a single person had any type of police monitor while committing a crime. To my knowledge, nothing was ever compromised so, like I said, it's "just because they could."
All public safety is encrypted except EMS to hospital. Since the hospitals use base units, I suspect they're waiting on new units so they can follow suit.
Not according to any of my scanners. It's dead air.
Edit: Security for Columbus State University and Columbus Technical College are on the same system and they are not encrypted.....yet.
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GearJammersc
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What I understand and read bout departments going to big E in other states its officer safety issue they don't want officers being ambushed or there excuse is scanner apps criminals listen they have found them with it on there phones. Then again some agency's will say oh we not trying to keep the public out just the criminals. Well that includes every body cause no one can here with out the encryption key. Then I hear we have a public information officer and they will inform the public. My own opinion good should out way the bad scanners can do more good than some think. Example riding down the street here a call about a robbery you here then you could be some where and see the vehicle or whatever they looking for and inform then. This public information crap no good wait hours later let public know bout situations only tell you what they want by then bad guy is gone. I think a lot has to do with Home Land security and think that all law enforcement needs to be in the dark. Also I think some of theses system administrators are telling them to go encrypted sense its free. Encryption has its place on sensitive situations. I will agree with that but that's why you have other channel's you can go to for that. I've also read and heard that some departments are forcing EMS and Fire to go that route because if they don't have encryption they want ever be able to talk to them if they don't encrypt there channels to that's bologna.
First, I worked for Columbus PD for over 30 years. They encrypted because Motorola offered it. Motorola has ruled this city for over 40 years. The only things in a patrol car that aren't Motorola are the sirens and the radar units and if Motorola made those, the city would buy them.
On the other hand, those scenarios about seeing the robbery suspect or the vehicle or whatever almost never happen. I know from experience. Has it happened? Well, I'm sure it has but that's not ammunition enough to get them to remove encryption.
The bigger reason might be transparency in government. Are they hiding something? Probably not, but I learned long ago that it's not what it is, it's what it appears to be.
On the other hand, those scenarios about seeing the robbery suspect or the vehicle or whatever almost never happen. I know from experience. Has it happened? Well, I'm sure it has but that's not ammunition enough to get them to remove encryption.
The bigger reason might be transparency in government. Are they hiding something? Probably not, but I learned long ago that it's not what it is, it's what it appears to be.
N8IAA
Member
Why in heaven's name did you wake up a thread that should have stayed asleep??
Especially with your own point of view?? I could understand if you lived in GA, but you don't. You're not even near the system.
The thread should be closed.
Just my opinion
People are venting their frustration about encryption and it's coming from all over. Yeah, it was probably ready to sleep until new information becomes available. I've learned to just move on from some posts.
I'm the OP and I live here.
I'm the OP and I live here.
N8IAA
Member
Well, David, state forums aren't the place to vent about encryption. Especially those not from GA. Used to be a Tavern forum that allowed it. No Rant threads now. The powers that be took care of that.
Living here in GA, plus being retired LE, you should know that with our state being a hub for distributing drugs for the east coast, that 'E' is extremely important to take down the bad guys. My county went silent in 2008. Didn't stop me from finding other things to monitor.
Just saying.
I didn't say I disagreed with you. I was simply making a statement that sorta relates to everyone being upset over the encryption.
There certainly are other things to monitor but I'm not really interested in them. There are those who listen to Walmart, laugh at the order takers at Mickey Dees and even look for baby monitors. None of that interests me.
N8IAA
Member
I absolutely understand your frustration. Before moving to GA, I lived in Cleveland, OH. Used to monitor the Cleveland PD on my ham radios. Then they decided to go to VSELP in the early 90's. There wasn't a scanner made to decode that digital mode. Now they run P-25 in the clear.
Occasionally, I monitor them here on RR. We usually travel up to Ohio once a year. It's nice to monitor them on one of my many scanners and not online. I am not a fan of streaming. So, to hear them live is always interesting. But, after a while, it's all the same. Same with whatever LE/FD I monitor near me.
I usually get my fix on Fridays and Saturdays on A&E at 9 pm. Then, there's always GSP and DNR. I've learned to move on decades ago.
Maybe you could get them to lend you a department radio with the transmit disabled.
The temperature here dropped almost 20º in 9 hours today but I don't think hell is freezing over.
N8IAA
Member
The temperature here dropped almost 20º in 9 hours today but I don't think hell is freezing over.
I think it might in Hell, Michigan.
Oh, by the way, that's a Northern Ohio joke perpetrated by a Fox 8 weatherman, Dick Goddard.
There is also a Paradise, Michigan. I believe it's more of a community but it's in the UP. Every year, the first time the temperature in Paradise drops below the temperature in Hell, someone runs a newspaper headline that says, "It's colder than Hell in Paradise."
I believe Columbus georgia police and fire has now removed the encryption I believe.
Not on my radio. It's dead quiet.
Additional info: Columbus State University (CSU) police, Metra Transit System and all non-public safety (public works, etc) talk groups are NOT encrypted. I have no idea why but CSU police is the only public safety talk group that is not encrypted.
chaycock
Member
>I believe Columbus georgia police and fire has now removed the encryption I believe.
What has happened that makes you believe that the encryption is gone?
Perhaps there is something the rest of are missing.
It sure would be nice if this is true.
Please reply back and let us know what you found that lead you to that conclusion.
What has happened that makes you believe that the encryption is gone?
Perhaps there is something the rest of are missing.
It sure would be nice if this is true.
Please reply back and let us know what you found that lead you to that conclusion.
I believe that people have the ability to listen because of the freedom of press.
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