Narcotics

[WisconsinRailfan]

Good Day All!

While listening to the Columbus PD, I sometimes hear the dispatcher say Narcotics to channel 3, or something of the sort. I am guessing that it is an encrypted channel?

I am NOT asking about monitoring an encrypted channel or frequency! Just wondering what the meaning of "Narcotics to channel 3" is. And if it's not encrypted, how would I follow the conversation?

Thanks in advance

Steven

 

[wdz]

If the dispatcher is calling for someone to that channel, they are usually looking for that division to go to the main air for that zone to consult on what's going on. IE if they have a chase and they call for "chopper to one", they are calling for the chopper to go to zone 1 main air. All you need to do is tune into that zone if you are looking to follow the action, the main is air not encrypted.

Edit: I also checked out the database, it shows all of the narcotics channels as being in the clear. Does anyone else know differently?

 

[WisconsinRailfan]

Thanks for the explanation! Now I will have to figure out how to set up the scanner to be able to switch to the different zones.

 

[jscott02]

Thanks for the explanation! Now I will have to figure out how to set up the scanner to be able to switch to the different zones.

On one of mine, I have each CPD Zone in it's own bank. I typically only actively listen to zone 1 but if I hear of something going on, I'll switch over. That's the easiest way I know of to be able to do it.