LMPD Going Encrypted

[CAR-224A]

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.

All KSP units that serve LMPD “areas” in Post 4 and select units in Post 12 District have direct access to LMPD encrypted channels on MetroSafe.

Not a step back at all.

 

[scannerboy02]

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.

The thing that also gets me is that this seems like a slap in the face to all the people who died on September 11th, 2001.

Out of those events came Project 25 with the purpose of developing a digital standard that would allow "everyone to talk to everyone" (like analog) and billions of dollars were granted to departments for the purchase of these systems and radios. Now these same departments that used grant money that was supposed to be used for interoperability are now encrypting primary radio channels making it difficult if not impossible for "everyone to talk to everyone."

 

[Steve73]

All KSP units that serve LMPD “areas” in Post 4 and select units in Post 12 District have direct access to LMPD encrypted channels on MetroSafe.

Not a step back at all.

Interesting. While listening to Metro during the riots I heard who I assumed was a supervisor make the comment on air when they were switching to an encrypted Tac channel that the KSP units and the National Guard helicopter would lose communication with the riot units.

 

[CAR-224A]

Interesting. While listening to Metro during the riots I heard who I assumed was a supervisor make the comment on air when they were switching to an encrypted Tac channel that the KSP units and the National Guard helicopter would lose communication with the riot units.

A lot has changed since the first wave/week of riots. I can't speak to the knowledge of Natl Guard Helo's but KSP Radios were reprogrammed and loaded with MS keys.

 

[Steve73]

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.

Same goes for some of the guys across the river from them who monitor them. Depending on agency dispatches to use TX to relay info is a step backwards. I do see the need for encrypted channels at times. And as far as not wanting the public to hear their conversations they can always use their MDT's at least for the initial dispatch and switch to encrypted as needed.

 

[Steve73]

A lot has changed since the first wave/week of riots. I can't speak to the knowledge of Natl Guard Helo's but KSP Radios were reprogrammed and loaded with MS keys.

Thanks for the update.

 

[msradell]

This is just another move by our illustrious mayor to hide how bad Louisville has become! He keeps talking about openness and visibility of everything that happens yet at the same time keeps hiding everything from everybody! Even the Metro Council President who used to be a police officer is questioning this move!

 

[Steve73]

This is just another move by our illustrious mayor to hide how bad Louisville has become! He keeps talking about openness and visibility of everything that happens yet at the same time keeps hiding everything from everybody! Even the Metro Council President who used to be a police officer is questioning this move!

Yeah he needs to go.

 

[FFPM571]

This has 0 to do with 9/11 This is the wave of the future of public safety communications. Soon all large cities will move this direction.. that is the way it is....

 

[mastr]

This has 0 to do with 9/11 This is the wave of the future of public safety communications. Soon all large cities will move this direction.. that is the way it is....

Ironically, this site is an effective sales tool for encryption.

 

[CAR-224A]

Ironically, this site is an effective sales tool for encryption.

☝️

 

[ID27030]

Rather interesting that they would choose AES. Back in the beginning, AES added $630 to a radio where ADP was $10. With LMPD having some 1200+ portables, that's a lot of money. Plus the other small cities that communicate with LMPD are forced to get AES radios.

Yeah there was mention of the patched channel, but I'm thinking the odds of this being reliable are kind of low. I just don't see an officer in pursuit will want to switch radio channels.

The crazy part is they still have xts2500 the last I saw but you can put AES in those but maybe going to apx series. I know they have some adp channels shocked they are adding aes

 

[ofd8001]

There are probably a few more unintended consequences or things that were not considered. For example many times fire would be monitoring police talkgroups when responding to accidents on the interstate. Police would often say "Radio, tell fire they need to go. . . " and fire would hear this direct. Going to PD dispatcher to FD dispatcher (who is way on the other side of the room) to fire units takes a bit of time. By then, fire would end up going the undesired way.

And then there is the medical call with trouble on the scene, or shooting. Fire and EMS crews would listen to police for the "10-86 for EMS" before they approached. Now they will have to wait for the lengthened communications chain which will add time.

This evening's news had a story and the deputy police chief described the system as "antiquated". The system is just about 12 years old and hasn't even been fully expanded to an adjacent county (Shelby) and only within the past couple of years went live for Bullitt County agencies.

Again, like with so many other things, in fixing one problem, others are created.

Still as I said LMPD has got to be commended for doing the delayed broadcasts so the public can hear what's going on. I doubt that is done by many other areas.

 

[WX4JCW]

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.

True I suppose

 

[aps_ak]

Still as I said LMPD has got to be commended for doing the delayed broadcasts so the public can hear what's going on. I doubt that is done by many other areas.

Chiming in from Anchorage (Alaska, not Kentucky...though I have been to the KY version and it was definitely different). In 2013, APD did the same thing - they went entirely Encrypted, and had a Broadcastify feed up instead. First it was delayed by 5 minutes, and then 10. All throughout the process, dispatchers were able to mute the feed if any high profile incidents were ongoing, or if patrol command asked them to. This became more and more common, and then feed kept being "down due to technical issues" more and more, until they finally completely pulled it a little less than 3 years later. Not saying that this is necessarily what will happen, but I perhaps it will work out better than it did up here. Unfortunately, we had a pretty prolific group on FB here who literally transcribed most calls into Facebook posts.

 

[Steve73]

Anybody listen to Metro on the web of pursuit around 5pm today of the shooting suspect that went into Indiana and then back to Louisville ? I had scanner on Clark Ops and didn't think to listen to Metro and see how well the delay works with a hot call and multiple agencies.

 

[INDY72]

Here is the only BS I call on BCFY and the official stance... Feed Providers, YOU CAN'T HAVE A DELAY PERIOD! OFFICIAL FEED,.. Sure, delay it up to 30 minutes its fine.... Straight up BS! A feed is a fricking feed, no matter where in heck its streaming from! Other than that its just another cog in the wheel of whack.

 

[FFPM571]

Oh BTW the Dispatch 1-4 and Tac 1-4 are encrypted already Fire is still clear.. I was there today It's still Phase 1 as ID# were showing on the XTS5000 but no voice

 

[MIRV888]

The best source of real time law enforcement actions is now the bus drivers. I'm selling my BC436 directly.
It was fun while it lasted, but it's over. I advise all of you to find another hobby. At this point we are buggy whip enthusiasts.

 

[pjscott51]

Anybody listen to Metro on the web of pursuit around 5pm today of the shooting suspect that went into Indiana and then back to Louisville ? I had scanner on Clark Ops and didn't think to listen to Metro and see how well the delay works with a hot call and multiple agencies.

I was monitoring LMPD and Clarksville during that pursuit. Clarksville said that LMPD has the guy in custody. At first I was like what the hell, why didn't I hear that from LMPD. Then I realized the 15 minute delay.