YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The times of listening to police scanners in York County have come to an end, as the county has made a change to its 911 police dispatches.
“It’s a decision the chiefs of police and the county did not take lightly," said Ted Czech, public information officer for the York County Office of Emergency Management and York County 911.
The county has encrypted all police 911 communications, which means the public cannot hear them through police scanners.
It’s a move meant to bolster security and protect sensitive personal information.
“The need to keep certain information private, that supersedes the need for folks to know those things," explained Czech.
York County joins many other counties which have already made the move to encrypted communications over the years.
Officials say it helps them align with the Criminal History Record Information Act, which requires criminal history to be protected as well.
“There’s also an involvement with the FBI," said Czech. "The FBI requires criminal history be safeguarded.”
The encryption and contracted labor to assist with implementation cost the county $418,124.75, according to Czech.
"Every portable radio (handheld) and mobile radio (in vehicles or stations), along with all 911 dispatcher stations, had to be installed with upgraded software," he said.
Czech recognizes the change may be a disappointment for hobbyists, but says it was an important one to make.
“We understand that’s exciting for people, whether that’s just having a scanner in the house or listening to the scanner and going to a scene, but the need to keep certain information from the public supersedes that," he said.
The public will still be able to hear certain first responder calls though.
“Fire and EMS calls are not encrypted and there are no plans to encrypt those calls. It’s just the law enforcement calls," Czech said.