Ozaukee County Encryption

[WX9JAC]

Ozaukee county law enforcement will be eventually going fully encrypted, Fire Departments should remain in the clear

 

[Tim]

Greetings...

I am not sure, but I think the changeover might be starting. I am on the fringe of monitoring the system, but it sounds like TG 705 is now Encrypted. It seems like Mequon PD (And a few others) are using TG 718, which is Ozaukee Common.

Anyone closer confirm?


Tim

 

[tomw9tjp]

They are encrypting law enforcement talk groups per their meetings minutes. See item #6 - https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09282023-3304

 

[prowisscan]

I will assume then there will no longer be a patch of Mequon PD on the Washington Co. radio system TG 57531? I am too far to monitor Ozaukee so I rely on Washington county for patches of Mequon PD and Ozaukee sheriff.

 

[box23]

Why not? Just because encryption is involved doesn't negate the need for neighboring agencies to monitor and communicate between systems.

 

[Tim]

In listening yesterday afternoon, all of OZCO law traffic appears to be the dreaded "E" now. I did hear a few dispatcher transmissions in the clear during the day, but overall everything appears to be Encrypted. The aforementioned patch on Washington County's system is just rebroadcasting the encryption sound, currently.

As someone who works in public safety and would monitor OZCO law for situational awareness, this is a dent in interoperability.


Tim

 

[a1emt]

As someone who works in public safety and would monitor OZCO law for situational awareness, this is a dent in interoperability

Amen! Leave the patrol TG's in the clear and E everything else...

 

[DVINTHEHOUSEMAN]

It's always sad to see another agency go encrypted, even when they're on the other side of the state. Up here encryption hasn't taken precedent at least and it's only part time usage.

 

[19-685]

They are encrypting law enforcement talk groups per their meetings minutes. See item #6 - https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09282023-3304

And it appears that fire department talkgroups could be moving the same way... see last paragraph on page 1 of the December 2023 meeting minutes:

https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12142023-3344

 

[W8KIC]

Amen! Leave the patrol TG's in the clear and E everything else...

The encryption debate will likely go on forever. I understand the need for it on SWAT and TAC channels but locking down the dispatch channels? Let's just say that the optics stink to high heaven. In this day and age when law enforcement has to work diligently in order to garner whatever support they can from a somewhat skeptical public at large, encrypting the dispatch channels aren't going to win them any accolades!