Hamilton County Encrypted

[Dispatch2323]

All Hamilton County Law Enforcement (primary dispatch) is going encrypted in the first half of 2023.

 

[INDaviation]

Do you have a source?

 

[Dispatch2323]

County 911 Director

 

[Dispatch2323]

Apparently, the media was told yesterday. The 911 Director cited a law taking effect on July 1 that SSN can't be broadcast over a non-encrypted channel so they are encrypting everything law enforcement related.

 

[INDaviation]

He was referring to this then:
"IC 10-10.5-4-1Prohibition of broadcasting Social Security number

Sec. 1. After June 30, 2023, a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement agency, or an employee of a law enforcement agency may not broadcast a Social Security number over a police radio unless the broadcast is encrypted.

As added by P.L.86-2022, SEC.3."

Seems like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction then. Would it not be easier to use a cell phone or MDT to check SSNs? Also, it's not like they don't have access to a plethora of encrypted talkgroups as it is.

 

[bdub5]

Apparently, the media was told yesterday. The 911 Director cited a law taking effect on July 1 that SSN can't be broadcast over a non-encrypted channel so they are encrypting everything law enforcement related.

What a wonderful knee jerk reaction.

 

[INDaviation]

I wonder what this means for IMPD and Marion County.

 

[usswood]

SSN..wow, haven't heard one used on the radio in YEARS! Maybe the last 4 just to confirm a warrant, but never the whole SSN... Wonder if its because the SSN can't be ran for anything anymore???

 

[cubn]

Couldn't they just encrypt the Headquarters channel?

 

[INDaviation]

They've probably wanted to do this for a long time now; now they have an excuse.

 

[Dispatch2323]

They've probably wanted to do this for a long time now; now they have an excuse.

Exactly

 

[IndyScan]

The only thing I ever hear is OLN, haven't heard an SSN for a long time, either.

 

[Dispatch2323]

The new 911 Director, Mike Hubbs, is a fan of full encryption. Not saying right or wrong. Just pointing out.

 

[Stecomp]

That will be a sad day indeed. Having scanned central Indiana for over 40 years I knew it would probably occur at some date but was hoping not for a long time. As a former LEO in Hamilton County in an earlier life, I see the police perspective for officer safety in certain situations but that's what the encrypted talk groups or Tac channels are for. As stated above, SSNs are just not heard over main dispatch channels so they could just make that a mandate in lieu of total encryption.

For those not familiar with the MESA system (formerly IDPS) in the Indianapolis (Marion Co.) area, Hamilton County has their own separate subsystem (one of 4) that is totally apart from Indianapolis' subsystem. Until very recently they could not communicate with IMPD units to the south for assistance. Now they can be patched together as IMPD could always do with their own districts.
Just wondering how that will work with Hamilton encrypted and Marion not. Unfortunately the answer will probably be for the big county to follow the lead of their neighbors to the north. Yes, now it will be easy to justify the flip to the E switch with this new mandate and another area of the country fall silent. Some nice scanners will be for sale then.

 

[INDaviation]

They'd probably switch to Countywide if they needed to talk to IMPD. Last I heard IMPD and Marion County don't plan on going dark.

 

[n3obl]

Just wondering how that will work with Hamilton encrypted and Marion not. Unfortunately the answer will probably be for the big county to follow the lead of their neighbors to the north. Yes, now it will be easy to justify the flip to the E switch with this new mandate and another area of the country fall silent. Some nice scanners will be for sale then.

At a console level they can patch an encrypted into a non-encrypted talkgroup. However you would be able to now hear the encrypted traffic over the non-encrypted channel for as long as the patch is active.

 

[GTO_04]

He was referring to this then:
"IC 10-10.5-4-1Prohibition of broadcasting Social Security number

Sec. 1. After June 30, 2023, a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement agency, or an employee of a law enforcement agency may not broadcast a Social Security number over a police radio unless the broadcast is encrypted.

As added by P.L.86-2022, SEC.3."

Seems like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction then. Would it not be easier to use a cell phone or MDT to check SSNs? Also, it's not like they don't have access to a plethora of encrypted talkgroups as it is.

It IS a knee jerk reaction. Currently they are using their MDTs most of the time and sometimes they use the HQ talkgroup. They don't need to encrypt everything to comply with the law.

GTO_04

 

[INDY72]

Hell, the only ppl I even hear using SSN at all is EMS to VA ER. That is SOP all day every day. FI, LI, Last 4. Its the primary method of proving VA status. Which is retarded , as they could just as easily verify by VA Card Number. I have not heard an LEA use SSN in a LONG time. At least not North of the Mason Dixon.

 

[Dispatch2323]

As citizens, we have the right to voice concern to mayor and police chiefs. I'm not sure if will matter but at least we can say we tried. I'm happy to post email addresses of various elected officials but I don't want to get in trouble with admin. I'm just suggesting a respectful, brief email.

 

[JethrowJohnson]

As citizens, we have the right to voice concern to mayor and police chiefs. I'm not sure if will matter but at least we can say we tried. I'm happy to post email addresses of various elected officials but I don't want to get in trouble with admin. I'm just suggesting a respectful, brief email.

I think I would just politely ask them to at least reconsider, because, I don't know, but maybe they have a good reason, like: maybe there's somebody on Facebook putting out too much unnecessary and sensitive information that he hears on the scanner. We have a few of those where I am, and my sheriff's office is encrypted and I don't blame them either. 🤷‍♂️