If You Couldn't monitor your police would crime improved

[SMbaugh]

I will first mention that of course I like the scanning hobby. But my real problem is if I could not hear them would the crime rate go down. Would less Police officers die in the line of duty. I just don't think so. I think criminals comit just as mush crime as ever and scanning does not have anything to do with it. And encourge to look at yearly crime reports from the FBI.I been listening for about 29 years. It has already been proven time and time again that the US heard alot before 9/11 but still could not do anything to prevent it. Now for the local scene. When i first started to monitor years ago in my home town they started using the scambler technique. But every year my city was in the top 10 for crime for it's population. Now 29 years later they use DES and of course Nextel. But they are still in the top 10 for crime according to the FBI report. I want to point out that most scanner listeners use their scanners for things like avoiding traffic accidents or very useful like weather monitoring, like it really came in handy for the recent Ice storm with all the accidents and power lines down something your weather radios doesn't report immediately like your local police who are on the scene live. I will end that I think scanning is useful to the honest folks and if a criminal uses a scanner to comit a crime than harsher penalties should be enforced. Happy Listening

 

[nmfire10]

How original.

 

[DaveNF2G]

Doesn't this belong in the Tavern?

 

[mciupa]

I think scanning is useful to the honest folks and if a criminal uses a scanner to commit a crime than harsher penalties should be enforced.

Can't argue with that.

You answered your own question when you said that the crime rate standing has remained virtually the same, whether or not you could monitor the police.

 

[Voyager]

and if a criminal uses a scanner to comit a crime than harsher penalties should be enforced.

That IS the case in many (most?) states.

Joe M.

 

[SMbaugh]

IF You Couldn't Monitor Your Police Would Crime Improved

I kind of thought it was. But after seeing some of the articles about police corruption I totally forget about that part of it. What the police might not really want you to hear. I really think that if you can provide some assistance to the police from some infomation that they dispatch over the radios than as a citzen who monitors them you should. But certainly don't discuss infomation or devulge infomation to a criminal or even get in the way of an officer doing his duty. But where is the concrete proof that crime in cities who have gone to encryption or using Provoice that a significant drop in crime has occured. I know in my area where police communication is open they are doing the same amount of arresting and if not better because of scanner tips. I know you will say their are those occasions where the police do arrest someone with a scanner and if they do the penalty should be and in most states it is more severe. Which is a good thing.

 

[TXFirefighter112]

The only thing that would help the crime situation is to get all these liberal crackhead gun control freaks to shut up. If everyone in the country had a gun no one would rob anybody because they would have like a 90% chance of getting shot, whereas now only about 20% of people carry guns. So that gives the crimminals a nice 4 out of 5 people to choose from, but if the majority of people had a gun that would be a 1 in five chance of picking a person who doesnt have a gun. Of course there will always be stupid people that will try it anyway, but those are the types that need to be removed from the gene pool anyway.

When was the last time you heard someone get talked out of a robbery because the store clerk might have a scanner?

Also, just because arrests are up, doesnt mean crime is down. In fact it usually means the opposite.

 

[RocketMan1]

Re: IF You Couldn't Monitor Your Police Would Crime Improved

I really think that if you can provide some assistance to the police from some infomation that they dispatch over the radios than as a citzen who monitors them you should.

Whenever Newton County Sheriffs make a special anouncement the dispatcher starts by saying: "Attention all county units and HOME MONITORS be on the lookout for.........." of whatever the case may be. I wonder if they are refering to scanner monitors like us when they refer to "Home Monitors"?

As for providing assistance, use your head in doing so, we don't need any vigilanties. But if done correctly it could prove invaluable. Many years ago I witnessed a car theft, I called dispatch and gave the info, I was listning to my scanner and heard the dispatcher give the wrong description and direction of travel, I called back, they caught the guy after a high speed pursuit the wrong way on the expressway, ISP said they have been trying to catch this guy for years.

 

[jbstahr]

Re: IF You Couldn't Monitor Your Police Would Crime Improved

I really think that if you can provide some assistance to the police from some infomation that they dispatch over the radios than as a citzen who monitors them you should.

Whenever Newton County Sheriffs make a special anouncement the dispatcher starts by saying: "Attention all county units and HOME MONITORS be on the lookout for.........." of whatever the case may be. I wonder if they are refering to scanner monitors like us when they refer to "Home Monitors"?

As for providing assistance, use your head in doing so, we don't need any vigilanties. But if done correctly it could prove invaluable. Many years ago I witnessed a car theft, I called dispatch and gave the info, I was listning to my scanner and heard the dispatcher give the wrong description and direction of travel, I called back, they caught the guy after a high speed pursuit the wrong way on the expressway, ISP said they have been trying to catch this guy for years.

In the end, you have to use common sense. I think the old addage "Observe and report" says it all. Most of us aren't cops and shouldn't try to get involved in police work. Leave that to the pros. On the other hand, cops can always use a second set of eyes as they can't be everywhere at once. That's my 2 cents.

 

[racin06]

The only thing that would help the crime situation is to get all these liberal crackhead gun control freaks to shut up.

These liberal crackheads are also the people wanting stricter scanner ownership laws! If it is illegal for a criminal to use a scanner during the commission of a crime, then it should also be illegal for a law-abiding citizen to own a scanner. That's how liberalism works...punish the law-abiding citizens.

 

[STiMULi]

You have the power. It is said that one letter has the power of 3000 votes. Write the wrongs. It does make an impact. Generallly you will get a response from everyone you write.

Do not let them encrypt or prohibit.

Encryption is needed where direct threat of life or reasonable disintegration of an investigation exists. MDTs are great for passing private info.

Prohibition of scannists from hearing public services acts like the gun laws do in some of our cities. None of it will ever stop a criminal. Only people can.

 

[TXFirefighter112]

That's how liberalism works...punish the law-abiding citizens.

The ultimate example of liberalism in action: The City of Dallas' "new" (out for a few months now) ordinance against beggars on street corners. Enter the Dallas Fire Dept's fill the boot campaign for MD. They used to raise a huge sum of money (I want to say close to a million dollars but I am not sure) until this ordinance was enacted. They used to go out on street corners and solicit donations from motorists. That is now illegal. This past year they didnt even reach 1/8th of the previous years total.

Meanwhile, the poor people who have to beg to get money (and the rich people who are too ****ing lazy to do something for a living) still go out and beg for money. When they get caught, they get taken to a homeless shelter where they are given a bed and a hot meal as well as cable TV and other forms of entertainment. FD members caught on the street doing fill the boot campaign get a ticket.

Laura Miller should be given a transoccippital implant of lead.

 

[SMbaugh]

If you couldn't monitor your police would crime improved?

My thought about this subject is hoping someone could provide some scientific evidence that crime would improved if the police weren't monitored. The reallty is that the really major crimes like murder or rape are not committed by someone with a scanner trying to avoid police. But can scanners be a help to the police and local scanner monitors. Like avoiding major accidents, or major fires for instance helping firemen roll out those long hoses or during inclement weather or alerts when the police are looking for someone or car thefts. Is it really crucial to use encrypted communications and keep infomation from the public. The very people whose tax dollars pay for the new radios?

 

[TXFirefighter112]

I doubt there is any real evidence that could show one way or another that scanners affect crime rates at all. Sure they increase the possibility of the perp being caught, but the threat of being caught isnt generally regarded as an adequate deterrant to committing a crime.

 

[N_Jay]

Re: If you couldn't monitor your police would crime improved

My thought about this subject is hoping someone could provide some scientific evidence that crime would improved if the police weren't monitored. The reallty is that the really major crimes like murder or rape are not committed by someone with a scanner trying to avoid police. But can scanners be a help to the police and local scanner monitors. Like avoiding major accidents, or major fires for instance helping firemen roll out those long hoses or during inclement weather or alerts when the police are looking for someone or car thefts. Is it really crucial to use encrypted communications and keep infomation from the public. The very people whose tax dollars pay for the new radios?

You are not going to find any hard data either way.

You will find anecdotal reports on both sides.

However, you will find many more reports by professionals of scanner listeners accidentally or intentionally having negative consequences, than you will find of any positive reports.

Your "Tax Dollars" comment is irrelevent, as you also pay for the cars which you need to be "invited" to ride in, and the offices that you have no rights to enter, etc.

I know you, like many here, want to build a case for non-encrypted radio, but it juts does not hold up.

 

[SMbaugh]

If You Could Not Monitor Your Police Would Crime Improved?

I'm wanting someone to make a case for encrypted communications. But when you don't even get a chance to vote on this issue and your local Government does it any way. When was the last time somone commited a major crime and used a scanner to get away. The #1 Fact in communications about 9/11 and i would refer you to 9/11 commission report is the US heard alot of communications and still could not prevent 9/11. My home town went to a scrambler transmission way back 30 years ago and are now using DES and still rank in the top 10 for crime. Could there be something heard by a scanner monitor that could help the police prevent a crime. Well than why encrypt fire or EMS. Usually a fire is already occuring or the EMS is called it's too late any way to prevent anything. In my home town it is leading the way in drug, murder.... all the biggie crimes. Not even in 30 years can they show a drop in crime. So if encrypting doesn't work to slow up crime then why do it? Why waste money that could be used for something else? maybe a public channel that the police could decide to send reports on that could help them catch a criminal before he commits another crime. True crime will never be prevented. It just seems that more and more of our rights in this country are either being limited or taken away without voting for it. But as a military person I will fight for what ever is right and the safety of our citzens. I just think by only a few that will know what is going on will hurt more than it will help.

 

[TXFirefighter112]

I'm wanting someone to make a case for encrypted communications.

So if encrypting doesn't work to slow up crime then why do it? Why waste money that could be used for something else?

I just think by only a few that will know what is going on will hurt more than it will help.

:? :?

Well, you have officially confused the Sh*t out of me. Are you in favor of encryption or not? You want someone to make a case for it (which BTW, IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ON THIS SITE) and at the same time you ask if it doesnt work why bother doing it. Then the third quote I think you're saying that if people know what is going on it can only lead to problems.
So what are you trying to accomplish? (try to put it in 20 words or less just for clarity's sake)

 

[N_Jay]

The issue you seem to be missing is you have no RIGHT to listen in to whatever you want.

You do have the right to try, and teh poilice have the right to encrypt.

Spend some time talking to police officers, dispatchers, and the command staff and you will hear PLENTY of reasons to encrypt (or go to silent MDT dospatch).

Does it lower crime? maybe, maybe not.

Does it increase officer safety, yes!
Does it increase personal privacy, yes! (Yours and Mine!)

While not every criminal uses a scanner, many do.
While not every News Reporter jumps on police calls, some do!

While not every tow truck driver does a stupid think like blocking a police chase, some do!

 

[flyingwolf]

N-Jay. How does it increase officer safety?

Not flaming. Just curious. I am wondering what are the cites on your statement that it increases officer safety.

 

[TXFirefighter112]

Is he talking about encryption or people's ability to monitor? I can see how both would accomplish those things.