DCSO ch1 broadcasting their encrypted traffic . Don't know what the delay was Monday morning but it was silent until mid-afternoon, when encrypted traffic filled the airwaves.
Lasted until about 9 AM. I think they were reprogramming all the dispatch consoles between 6 AM to 9 AM, but wanted to cutover right at 6 AM. Castle Rock and Parker opted to say on their main channels using backup radios, whereas Douglas County opted to stay on their consoles and use Channel 3.DCSO ch1 broadcasting their encrypted traffic . Don't know what the delay was Monday morning but it was silent until mid-afternoon, when encrypted traffic filled the airwaves.
Any thug with a smartphone could listen to the feed. That's why its now gone.
I hate encryption* as much, possibly more, than anyone. However, we do ourselves absolutely no favors when we try to invoke imaginary Constitutional rights. Even the "open government" or "transparency in government" angle is a giant, almost impossible uphill battle since any agency in question can provide audio recordings and/or transcripts of calls for service and incident responses to satisfy that desire.PLEASE VOTE and elect a new sheriff in Douglas County that will respect the Constitution.
I hate encryption* as much, possibly more, than anyone. However, we do ourselves absolutely no favors when we try to invoke imaginary Constitutional rights. Even the "open government" or "transparency in government" angle is a giant, almost impossible uphill battle since any agency in question can provide audio recordings and/or transcripts of calls for service and incident responses to satisfy that desire.
The general public does not gave a rat's...behind...about being able to monitor radio traffic in real time and will easily buy (if they haven't already bought) the "it's for Officer safety" excuse. The general public vastly out number people like you and I.
* = Disclaimer: I, like many, see the need for and the appropriateness for encryption on channels designated for sensitive or tactical situations but primary dispatch channels should be left in the clear.
It's be argued a lot on radio reference, but its spreading quickly here in Colorado which is why I think the discussion is still alive.
My problem with encryption is that it Reduces my Public Safety. I do help pay for public safety, and I don't like seeing mine being reduced.
I am less safe if dispatch channels are encrypted.
During the active shooter at the planned parenthood (Colorado Springs, Centennial Rd. and Filmore Rd., 2015). The shooting had just begun and I was listening from Woodland Park (west of the Springs). My daughter called (she knows I listen to the police) and said there were cop cars flying all around her.....I asked where she was...I25 almost to Filmore and was going to head west putting her right into the shooting scene within minutes. I immediately diverted her south of the whole scene. There were still shots being fired at the time she called and the scene was not secured.
Another time I was driving from Colorado Springs to Denver on I25 with my family. As I passed Monument I heard on the scanner that a high speed chase was developing behind us, and was heading north in our direction. Speeds were over 100 MPH and the suspect was ramming the state troopers vehicle, passing cars on the shoulder, and weaving through traffic. By listening to the scanner I knew the location of the pursuit and I exited the highway on the Greenland exit, then moved off the road and safely watched the pursuit pass us by. The pursuit got so dangerous towards Denver that the troopers called off the chase.
I can't tell you how many times scanning has helped us in other traffic situations, like knowing where a crash has occurred and finding another route. Or even learning about winter road conditions from the troopers and officers on patrol. Learning about the really bad icy spots before you get in the area, and even road closings. Another example is wildfires as our mountain subdivision only has one way in and out. I absolutely need to know if there is a fire, where it is, and where its headed. I have also avoided other potentially dangerous situations, like suspicious persons, suspected DUI vehicles in the area, ect.
Just the other day during the snow and wind storm. CDOT opened 285 in the Jefferson and Fairplay area. Traffic came into the area, conditions changed to whiteout and hundreds got stranded, buried in the drifts. I was able to avoid the area once I heard there were whiteout conditions. They ended up having to use a snow cat from Fairplay to start rescuing stranded motorist. The troopers and deputies could not make it through the drifts. The power was out too- no gas pumps working. It was a complete mess that lasted a long time. I am glad I did not become part of it...
I could go on and on listing these types examples. Any scanner enthusiast knows exactly what I am describing. I hear a lot about officer safety, but nothing about the reduction in my safety because of encryption.
Josh Hans, spokesman for the Parker Police Department, said scanners often air personal details like a crime victim's date of birth and address that is not public information. There's no value in making that available on scanners, he said.
“We have long been weighing the balance with the media and the public's right to know, at the same time, balancing it with the public's privacy, more specifically victim privacy information, as well as officer safety,” Hans said.
I know you want this to be true, however, that is not the reason any dept is moving to encryption.
That's what they tell the public and want us to believe its like they try to say the guy who shot and killed that Deputy last January had a scanner when in fact he didn't he had the Deputy's radio who was laying in his Apartment.It's exactly why my department switched.