[Scan-DC] Fw: Question about Scanners on Ask the Chief (MCPD)

[Alan Henney]

This is from one of our colleagues in regard to last week's WTOP radio show.

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From an anonymous long time scanner listener and list reader:

Below is a transcript of a question I asked on WTOP's "Ask the
Chief" (MCPD, 5/29/02, 10am, AM 1500) about the new radio system
(APCO25) and residents that own scanners. Due to the lack of an
audio tape it is paraphrased from memory, as best I can recall.
Please excuse any unintentional errors. I feel the gist and
tone of the exchange is correct.

It appears that WTOP will post an Real Audio archive of the show,
but it was not available when I wrote this, as it takes a day or
so for it to appear, at:

  http://www.connectlive.com/events/wtop/moose052902.html

(I was the first caller with a question.)

I do not intend to raise any critical issue, but rather inform
the group that did not hear the program. I suspected, and got a
non-answer, but my intent was (and is) to make the issue better
known to the public.

I think that the radio show is a great service to the community,
airing citizen's concerns and providing greater access to local
officials. The show has officials for PG, DC, VA, ... and has fire
and police chiefs, governors, mayors, ...

Goto to the link below to see past shows:

     http://wtopnews.com/ask_the/ask_archive.cfm

Just to be clear, I do not object to his answer, it is fair and
what I expected, and I generally approve of how MCPD is currently
operated, and have great respect for the MCPD and Chief Moose.

CALLER:  "Please address how the new radio system will affect the
ability of residents to monitor police and fire communications
and your opinion if this is good for an informed public?"

Chief Moose(paraphrased):  "We are making the investment into
upgrading our radio system so that we can have a better system
for our officers and to better communicate with surrounding
jurisdictions, (Fairfax Co., ...)."

"As we are making an investment, so will our residents that wish
to listen, they will also have to make investments in new radios."

ANNOUNCER: "Caller, do you listen?"

CALLER:  "Yes"

ANNOUNCER: "Will you buy such a radio?"

CALLER:  "Yes, but the radios are quite expensive, over $500,
and do not even not exist yet."

Chief Moose: "Our intent is not to shut our residents, and the
new system does not do that, it is meant only to improve the
communications of our officers and with nearby jurisdictions, ..."

Listener: "Will there be a public access policy? Other
jurisdictions, such as Fairfax County has such a policy."

Chief Moose: "I am not aware of such particulars, but I will have
my staff look into how other jurisdictions, such as Fairfax
County, have handled this and make sure this is addressed."

At this point they move on to the next caller.

Disclaimer:  The caller (this author) has no connection with WTOP
nor the MCPD, other than as a long time Montgomery County resident.