LMPD Going Encrypted

[wa8pyr]

APX has capability of software AES encryption now. I believe single slot though.

Correct; they used to offer single-key ADP on each radio but got bit due to the Federal requirement to use AES256 if you're spending grant money on the radios. Customers screamed and Motorola (amazingly) changed up and made single-key AES their standard free offering instead of ADP (which now costs money). The real big bucks come when you need multi-key encryption (several hundred $$ per radio).

Harris has been offering your choice (AES, DES or ADP) for 1 cent when you buy a radio for several years now. I spec all our stuff with single-key AES and Link Layer Authentication now.

 

[pjscott51]

All I can say about this is if you live in the area effected by this change you DO have a say in it. Contact your elected representatives and give them real world examples of why this is a bad idea. Attend public meetings and speak out about it, the more attention this gets the more likely it is to be reversed. Don't just sit around and do nothing, unless you don't really care that much.

Here is an example of one that happened today in Cincinnati, yes this is a fire department incident but the same thing could very well happen with law enforcement communications.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1508483742062583813

I just checked RR and the Cincinnati fire department isn't encrypted. As for LMPD, their going to make the argument that people do have access to the police channels via Broadcastify.

 

[WX4JCW]

I just checked RR and the Cincinnati fire department isn't encrypted. As for LMPD, their going to make the argument that people do have access to the police channels via Broadcastify.

why do you think LB doesn't scream about it, more revenue

 

[Firebuff66]

They are even going to still stream radio traffic just with a 15 minute delay.

Wow that is great they are doing that for the locals, None where I am do that.

 

[pjscott51]

why do you think LB doesn't scream about it, more revenue

Who is LB?

 

[KevinC]

Who is LB?

Lindsay Blanton, the Great blantoni to you and I and owner of RR and Broadcastify.

 

[pjscott51]

Lindsay Blanton, the Great blantoni to you and I and owner of RR and Broadcastify.

If Lindsay Blanton is making money off of LMPD going encrypted I could care less. No one is forcing anyone to use RR or Broadcastify. Besides, it's called capitalism.

 

[KevinC]

If Lindsay Blanton is making money off of LMPD going encrypted I could care less. No one is forcing anyone to use RR or Broadcastify. Besides, it's called capitalism.

Ok. I just let you know who LB was since you asked.

 

[WX4JCW]

If Lindsay Blanton is making money off of LMPD going encrypted I could care less. No one is forcing anyone to use RR or Broadcastify. Besides, it's called capitalism.

Yeah, I'm not going to argue capitalism with you, at least they are trying to have some semblance of transparency, My comment was more at the smugness of the sysadmins and leadership when people get mad about encryption, which does nothing to further goodwill between the hobbyists and the agencies, which is fine I've been on both sides of the fence and I understand the attitudes, we will just have to keep poking at the system and look for a legal crack which may or may not appear, to wipe the smugness of their faces would be a victory in itself, we've got time. the biggest fallacy is the idea that people should sit down be quiet and take it, that will never happen

 

[INDY72]

Unless other LEA's around Louisville yell and beyotch, this is forever. You and I actually do NOT have any say in it. Be real guys, unless your a millionaire, and ACTUAL stake holder here your outta luck. Look up Little Rock, AR, Colorado, and other areas where normal folks, and even State Senators thought they had rights on encryption. You don't, never had, and sure as Hell never will. But now go to MS. Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP) went full E after an incident involving a live stream on Broadcastify. The only reasons they are now turning it off for primary dispatch again are: A - Many Sheriff's Departments beyotched very loudly that they couldn't monitor MHP any longer. That got attention. B - Mississippi Department of Transportation - Law Enforcement Division (MDOT-E) was taken over by MHP, and they have an different series of APX'es than what MHP has, and would need to have paid for upgrades to encrypt, or buy NEW radios ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) so that MHP could have their new baby encrypted also. SO with the new head of MSDPS, they are for now going back to in the clear for primary MHP District Dispatches, and the Statewide TG. Not due to a normal citizen, no matter how many or how loudly beyotching. It was due to other LEA's and bean counters ($$$$$$$$$$$) beyotching. Get it yet?

 

[scannerboy02]

Unless other LEA's around Louisville yell and beyotch, this is forever. You and I actually do NOT have any say in it. Be real guys, unless your a millionaire, and ACTUAL stake holder here your outta luck. Look up Little Rock, AR, Colorado, and other areas where normal folks thought they had rights on encryption. You don's, never will. But now go to MS. Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP) went full E after an incident involving a live stream on Broadcastify. The only reasons they are now turning it off for primary dispatch again are: A - Many Sheriff's Departments beyotched very loudly that they couldn't monitor MHP any longer. That got attention. B - Mississippi Department of Transportation - Law Enforcement Division (MDOT-E) was taken over by MHP, and they have an different series of APX'es than what MHP has, and would need to have paid for upgrades to encrypt so that MHP could have their new baby encrypted also. SO with the new head of MSDPS, they are for now going back to in the clear for primary MHP District Dispatches, and the Statewide TG. Not due to a normal citizen, no matter how many or how loudly beyotching. It was due to other LEA's and bean counters beyotching. Get it yet?

It kinda worked in Colorado. Measures to Address Law Enforcement Accountability | Colorado General Assembly

 

[INDY72]

Has encrypt

It kinda worked in Colorado. Measures to Address Law Enforcement Accountability | Colorado General Assembly

Has encryption been turned off yet anywhere in CO due to this? No. Are departments getting more money, yep! Are there new measures about body cop cams? Yup! Will this ever turn encryption around? No. Did any LEA's say turn off E in CO? Nope, just the opposite! They argued on the assembly floors for MORE E for .. as usual "Officer Safety".

 

[Alrib123]

'Doesn't feel 100% right': LMPD adding delay to radio feeds; some concerned about transparency

LMPD officials announced the department is moving to an encrypted radio system, meaning instead of hearing emergency calls in real-time, all radio transmissions will be delayed by 15 minutes.

www.wlky.com

 

[pjscott51]

LMPD is encrypting their radio channels in part because there's to many people showing up at a crime scene. I think people are showing up at a crime scene because their using Facebook, Twitter, cell phone or a text message and not a scanner or a scanner app.

 

[ColonelMike]

While I understand the safety aspect, there are other safety issues they are not thinking about. I work for a small agency centrally located in Louisville. We are on the MetroSafe system but are dispatched from a different center. In just the last six months, I have caught three robbery, three carjacking, and several other burglary suspects that all occurred in LMPD's jurisdiction. This was due to me listening to my scanner in my car and occasionally carrying a second radio in my vehicle. Our radios are older and do not have the AES encryption needed to monitor, so they just lost free backup and an extra set of eyes. They are also my backup, and it was often quicker to switch to their channel and request backup than waiting for our dispatch to call their dispatch and then sending a unit on priority calls. I am just one, but many others also did this at the many small agencies in Louisville.

 

[pddispatcher]

All I can say about this is if you live in the area effected by this change you DO have a say in it. Contact your elected representatives and give them real world examples of why this is a bad idea. Attend public meetings and speak out about it, the more attention this gets the more likely it is to be reversed. Don't just sit around and do nothing, unless you don't really care that much.

Here is an example of one that happened today in Cincinnati, yes this is a fire department incident but the same thing could very well happen with law enforcement communications.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1508483742062583813

No, no one has a say in it except the powers in be at LMPD.

I'm glad they are realizing the problems due to live radio traffic and making a change to address those issues.

 

[WX4JCW]

Unless other LEA's around Louisville yell and beyotch, this is forever. You and I actually do NOT have any say in it. Be real guys, unless your a millionaire, and ACTUAL stake holder here your outta luck. Look up Little Rock, AR, Colorado, and other areas where normal folks, and even State Senators thought they had rights on encryption. You don't, never had, and sure as Hell never will. But now go to MS. Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP) went full E after an incident involving a live stream on Broadcastify. The only reasons they are now turning it off for primary dispatch again are: A - Many Sheriff's Departments beyotched very loudly that they couldn't monitor MHP any longer. That got attention. B - Mississippi Department of Transportation - Law Enforcement Division (MDOT-E) was taken over by MHP, and they have an different series of APX'es than what MHP has, and would need to have paid for upgrades to encrypt, or buy NEW radios ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) so that MHP could have their new baby encrypted also. SO with the new head of MSDPS, they are for now going back to in the clear for primary MHP District Dispatches, and the Statewide TG. Not due to a normal citizen, no matter how many or how loudly beyotching. It was due to other LEA's and bean counters ($$$$$$$$$$$) beyotching. Get it yet?

doesn't mean we can't be a fly in the ointment, I enjoy irritating the bean counters, you make valid points but doesnt mean people should lay back and take it, my mom said i could be whatever i wanted to be, i chose to be a problem

 

[ofd8001]

While I understand the safety aspect, there are other safety issues they are not thinking about. I work for a small agency centrally located in Louisville. We are on the MetroSafe system but are dispatched from a different center. In just the last six months, I have caught three robbery, three carjacking, and several other burglary suspects that all occurred in LMPD's jurisdiction. This was due to me listening to my scanner in my car and occasionally carrying a second radio in my vehicle. Our radios are older and do not have the AES encryption needed to monitor, so they just lost free backup and an extra set of eyes. They are also my backup, and it was often quicker to switch to their channel and request backup than waiting for our dispatch to call their dispatch and then sending a unit on priority calls. I am just one, but many others also did this at the many small agencies in Louisville.

And that may be the only argument that will give pause. Unfortunately something bad may happen and re-thinking may be needed.

Too many other agencies deal with "issues" in LMPD area, such as KSP. Several of their units, have had access to LMPD, but now a step backward.

The thing that gets me is the claim of "Officer Safety". For a long time there has been resistance to any type of method that will automatically give officer location. ("As long as I am making my runs, it is none of your business where I am in between runs".) Yet I often hear frantic dispatchers calling officers involved in foot pursuits asking where they are. "I don't know, it is a new subdivision."

If the goal is officer safety, let's go the full route.

But I gotta give them full credit of doing delayed feeds, that shows transparency is a consideration.

 

[Alrib123]

LMPD is encrypting their radio channels in part because there's to many people showing up at a crime scene. I think people are showing up at a crime scene because their using Facebook, Twitter, cell phone or a text message and not a scanner or a scanner app.

Great, now everyone will show up still, just 15 minutes later

 

[wa8pyr]

why do you think LB doesn't scream about it, more revenue

He has absolutely no say whatsoever on whether LMPD encrypts or not. In fact, he has no say as to anybody going encrypted except where he lives; there he could make his opinion heard like any other taxpayer.

And there are plenty of departments out there using encryption who do not provide Broadcastify feeds, so at least the folks in the area will have something.