Question: Will encrption be the end of listening to police scanners? Will or can you ever get your scanner to listen to encrypted frequencies?
Even with tight budgets, encryption is more affordable and dependable for governments than it has ever been. It's an especially attractive option when systems are replaced, as evidenced when Washington County started with it's UHF P25 system about 2 years ago. All of the law enforcement talkgroups are encrypted, with the only exceptions being the main dispatch TG's for Hagerstown PD and MSP/Sheriff.
There are certainly valid reasons for having and using encrypted channels, but when everything is scrambled, including dispatch, like Frederick PD (I believe it still is), that is a concern, and the police also lose the real potential for help from the montitoring public. As for breaking encryption - I suppose it's possible with enought time and dedication, but not very likely.