Marion County Sheriff - Dispatch Channel

[poormr]

Marion County has a new sheriff and he believes in complete transparency so he has unencrypted the dispatch channel. Enclosed is the press release.

THE MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
100 EXECUTIVE DRIVE
MARION, OHIO 43302
PHONE 740-382-8244 FACSIMILE 740-387-1067

MATT BAYLES BILL COLLINS
SHERIFF CHIEF DEPUTY

Press Release Date: 02/05/2021

Sheriff’s Office Unencrypts Main Radio Channel

Moving to goal of true Community Policing
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has unencrypted the main radio channel so people with scanners can now know what is going on in their community.
“I think that people have the right to know for their and their family’s safety and to help law enforcement fight crime in their neighborhood” stated Sheriff Matt Bayles.
“One of the biggest weapons that law enforcement has against crime are the eyes and ears of the residents in the community. I can’t tell you how many times we have had foot chases with suspects, where people with scanners call in and give us information after seeing the suspect running, that has then led to the capture of that suspect.”
“If we have an operation going on or we feel that suspects have scanners for some reason, we have the ability to change to a tactical channel or dispatch can send information
directly to the deputies’ computers to keep the information private. There is no reason to keep our citizens in the dark about what is going on in their neighborhoods”

Sheriff Matt Bayles

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Link to the source!

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=113441767385447&id=100131038716520

 

[a388sig2]

Thank you for posting.

Unfortunately, that's the only way to gain transparency and government accountability is in electing the right people, and not to empower those that hide behind the various bureaucratic excuses (SSNs, DOBs, Names, etc...)

 

[wa8pyr]

Are they actually now unencrypted, or is this just a press release announcing their intention to do so?

If they're still encrypted and waiting to re-program their radios, we'll need to put the database back to encrypted until it's confirmed that they've actually made the switch.

In any case, kudos to Sheriff Bayles for his enlightened approach. Too many departments these days encrypt everything rather than actually try to come up with an operational policy to cover basic communication security procedures on unencrypted channels.

 

[a388sig2]

Are they actually now unencrypted

Affirmative.

They’re currently in the clear.

 

[wa8pyr]

Affirmative.

They’re currently in the clear.

OK, thanks.

 

[tweiss3]

In any case, kudos to Sheriff Bayles for his enlightened approach. Too many departments these days encrypt everything rather than actually try to come up with an operational policy to cover basic communication security procedures on unencrypted channels.

I keep seeing Akron's City Council looking for "reform" and "transparency", yet both FD and PD are full E, let's start by being transparent on the dispatch channels.

Good for this Sherriff, he gets it.

 

[Nasby]

I keep seeing Akron's City Council looking for "reform" and "transparency", yet both FD and PD are full E, let's start by being transparent on the dispatch channels.

Good for this Sherriff, he gets it.

Akron politics have always been shady and rife with paranoia and mistrust. Its no surprise that their public safety channels are encrypted.
Surprisingly, their water and street department are still in the clear.