Scanner Apps

[wogggieee]

I thought I would share the article below since I found it interesting how they're applying the MN scanner law to the cell phone apps using the feeds that a lot of us serve.

That police scanner? Not illegal. Listening while fleeing police? Definitely illegal. » The Usual Suspects

 

[bubbamark]

Am I in the minority of thinking that these apps are only going to push more and more departments into either encrypting all their transmissions or going to systems that we won't be able to listen too? I have been into scanning since I was a young kid and hope to be able to listen until I am an old man but it seems like us in the hobby are actually the ones that could push the departments to go to measures to keep the public from listening as online scanners get more popular. I mean those in the hobby are the ones supply these feeds. The area I live in actually has a couple of different people that listen to scanners all day/night and post on a facebook pages what and where the calls are. They even go "cop chasing" and take ride alongs with them to scenes.

I am originally from Rochester and love to be able to go on here and listen to the feed but feel these apps on smartphones are going to be another reason for departments to encrypt more and more. I have noticed that Rochester seems like they are using it more then they did a few years ago.

 

[morrisr3nd]

Before I got a scanner that could receive digital, I used these apps on my smartphone. I travel all over the US and now that I have my PRO-106 I can't get enough. But it was those apps that got me started. Don't be too down on them. I admit that there are a lot of people out there who do use it illegally but fore some like me, it's a start to an awesome hobby. IMO.

 

[Ronaldski]

bubbamark -- I have been saying that for a long time been told no it doesnt but in the gre shutting down thread I mentioned it and finally no rebuttals and even had a few back me up.

yep these illegal activities continue to give us a black eye. Heck would they look at if some major crime happened at the feed provider would be an accessory?

 

[wogggieee]

I would suspect a very very small percentage of crimes are committed with the aid of scanners or the apps, but I could potentially see some departments using it as justification for encryption, but I suspect the cost would be prohibitive for a lot of departments on a department wide scale. I've thought about providing a feed on here but didn't really like their terms of services and didn't really like the limit in flexibility it seems to provide. So I just steam it for myself and one or two others I've given the link to.

 

[mrhowes]

I see the whole scanner apps and live feeds of scanner traffic to be (at this time anyway) much to do about nothing. Most (if not practically all) of live feeds broadcast a wide area of traffic (I.E. Ramsey county, or Hennepin county). It is pretty hard to follow what Saint Paul police may be doing while also listening to Roseville traffic, and Maplewood traffic, and Ramsey county traffic, and and maybe state patrol, and so on. Add to that the fact the most of these feeds come via RR, which does not allow broadcast of TAC channels/talkgroups and the like. Chances are 99% of warrant activity and surveillance would be done on TAC or OPS Talkgroups.

To truly be effective, the bad guys would be much better off listening to their own scanners.

 

[blue5011]

Better start building that double fence around Minnesota (and call it a prison) if the police are going to worry about scanner listeners instead of the murderers, robbers, drunks, meth heads, etc.

 

[JoeyC]

... if the police are going to worry about scanner listeners instead of the murderers, robbers, drunks, meth heads, etc.

Who's to say that a murderer, robber, drunk and meth head can't have a scanner? Very unrealistic to assume scanner listeners are some kind of angelic breed of human incapable of nefarious behavior.

 

[KD0TAZ]

Laws like this are absolutely nothing new, and I see nothing wrong with them. They are not making it totally illegal or going after Joe Listener for simply having his scanner or phone app, its just an enhancing charge that they tack on if you use a scanner to aid in the commission of a crime.

Basically the prosecutor uses it to demonstrate intent, not unlike bringing a bolt cutters and crowbar to a burglary (which is also a separate charge that provides for more time).

Sent from my Galaxy SII using some Tappity Talkity thing.