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Officials say scanner apps expose fire radio traffic; encryption proposed
Summary
County presenters warned that a widely used third‑party app can rebroadcast dispatch audio from fire channels and proposed encrypting fire radio traffic at an estimated one-time cost of about $55,000 to prevent public scanning and potential safety consequences.
Presenters told the commission that third-party applications are capturing and distributing live dispatch transmissions from some county fire channels. "There is a popular app that's out there right now, it's called Crime Radar...it uses AI technology that's listening to radio traffic," one presenter said during the briefing.
Because some fire channels were not encrypted when the county's radio system was installed, officials explained that people can listen and—on at least one occasion—arrive at an emergency scene after hearing a transmission. Commissioners and the fire association recommended encrypting fire channels to prevent scanning; staff estimated the countywide effort (Motorola on-site reprogramming plus Kenwood centralized programming) would cost roughly $55,000. County staff cautioned the change will require careful logistical coordination so encrypted radios and non‑encrypted units can remain interoperable during the transition.
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