Just wanted to give everyone a heads up (no discussion intended) that The Montgomery County Sheriff's office will fully encrypt all of their talk groups, including dispatch, on May 3. This is a defined date, unlike the rumors earlier this year. Wreckers will now fully be dispatched via a cell phone app, and no longer have a reason to have access to dispatch audio. They were scheduled to encrypt on Jan 1, but the tow rotation policy had major issues and they had to use the chip system in some locations. All fire & MCHD talk groups, aside from a handful of admin channels, will still remain in the clear. You will likely be able to listen to Magnolia PD dispatch since they have in-house daytime dispatch, but other than that, all law enforcement (aside from DPS) will be completely encrypted. Consider this when purchasing a digital scanner.
Sources: Internal with MCSO (anonymous for privacy) and Scott J. Engle
Sources: Internal with MCSO (anonymous for privacy) and Scott J. Engle