Encryption, could a nation wide mandate demand it be removed from L.E.?

[Floridarailfanning]

Exactly, that why I don't understand the need/desire and expense of encryption.

Many agencies have limited technical capabilities with old MDT's/software and the cost to encrypt can often be null compared to updating the in-car systems.

 

[mmckenna]

Exactly, that why I don't understand the need/desire and expense of encryption.

There is no "expense" to encryption. It's a common feature in all new radios. And by new, I mean the last 10 years or so. Even low tier digital radios in the $300 range have some form of scrambling or encryption.

It's not a cost issue. And trying to use cost savings as a reason to fight encryption isn't going to work.

 

[iMONITOR]

Encryption is here to stay, like it or not. As GlobalNorth said, there's already multiple ways to communicate that are not available to hobbyists. If encryption is suddenly outlawed, the conversations that they don't want you to hear will switch to cell phones, data terminals, text messages, etc. That is happening right now all across the country. If you think your scanner is giving you the whole story, you are mistaken.

The encryption argument is pointless. Scanner hobbyists have no influence on this, no matter what you think or how many complain. I'm working on projects that involve encrypted radio systems, and at no time has —anyone— ever expressed concern for the hobby crowd. Anyone that has a legitimate need to hear encrypted traffic can be provided with a radio set to RX only. Hobby use is NOT a legitimate need. Never has been, never will be. It's a form of entertainment. If you feel the need to monitor public safety agencies for wrongdoing (and I encourage and support this) the way to do it is via freedom of information act. Demanding that their entire radio system be set up for your entertainment is a ridiculous idea.

That's the point of my post, public safety communications not being encrypted will no longer be just a desire of the scanner hobbyist. I know we have no voice, no power or influence regarding encryption. Nor should the scanner enthusiast be privy to confidential communications on police radios. Like you and GlobalNorth said, they have cell phones and data terminals when they feel the need to not be heard.

My point is I don't think the majority of the general public, American citizens, scanner or no scanner are not going to tollerate being in the dark regarding public safety activities, actions spending and general everyday communications when dealing with the public. After recent events that I won't go into, many of the demands being made for change are borderline insane! But we've seen a lot of insane change in our country in the last decade or two. We have no privacy, are freedoms are diminishing daily, we need to take back control of our lives and be informed and knowledgeable about what's happening around us. I see transparancy in L.E. becoming a major issue in the next few years.

 

[iMONITOR]

Anyway, I guess all of you missed the end of my post #1:

Moderators: I honestly don't think this crosses the line with regards to posting about encryption or politics. My intention is just to discuss our feelings of what the future holds for us with regards to encryption threatening our ability to continue monitoring public safety communications to keep up with what's happening in our communities. Obviously if you feel the need, please delete the thread, my apologies.

Members: I posted this at approximately 7:40PM EST. Please hold off replying until we get an acknowledgement from the mods.

Thanks!

This thread will likely be closed soon. I probably shouldn't have even started it. I thought it would go differently.

 

[mmckenna]

My point is I don't think the majority of the general public, American citizens, scanner or no scanner are not going to tollerate being in the dark regarding public safety activities, actions spending and general everyday communications when dealing with the public. After recent events that I won't go into, many of the demands being made for change are borderline insane! But we've seen a lot of insane change in our country in the last decade or two. We have no privacy, are freedoms are diminishing daily, we need to take back control of our lives and be informed and knowledgeable about what's happening around us. I see transparancy in L.E. becoming a major issue in the next few years.

Public safety needs more oversight.

Bad officers/fire fighters/EMT's/dispatchers need to be tossed out on their ears. Plenty of other jobs out there. That line of work is not for everyone. Just like there are bad mechanics, bad cooks, bad doctors. No more free passes for public safety. They are us, we are them. If they cannot do the job properly, they get dumped. I'm all for second chances, but there's a limit.

Government needs to change. To change government, we need to vote. The problem we have with voting is that it's no longer about voting in the right people or the right propositions, it's ALL about voting the party ticket. Adolph Hitler would get voted into office if he ran on a party ticket. Most voter ARE that dumb.

 

[KevinC]

I probably shouldn't have even started it.

I can take care of that.