[Scan-DC] Windsor (Ontario, Canada) PD encrypt radios tomorrow

[Albert LaFrance]

Yes, in the US I think it would be the federal Privacy Act (or corresponding
state laws) which would address Sgt. Corey's concern about personal
information being broadcast.

Albert LaFrance

>-----Original Message-----
>From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:scan-dc-
>bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andrew Clegg
>Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 10:03 PM
>To: Scan DC
>Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Windsor (Ontario, Canada) PD encrypt radios tomorrow
>
>Sgt Corey is quoted as saying "[t]here are some Freedom of Information Act
>issues that we have not been able to control in the past," apparently in
>partial justification for going encrypted.
>
>I don't know what the Freedom of Information Act laws are in Canada, but
>here in the U.S., they are there to enable the public to more freely access
>government information, not make it more difficult. The primary purpose of
>the Act has nothing to do with protecting personal information, at least
>not
>here in the U.S.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Alan Henney" <alan at henney.com>
>To: "Scan DC" <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 9:17 PM
>Subject: [Scan-DC] Windsor (Ontario, Canada) PD encrypt radios tomorrow
>
>
>>
>> Windsor Star (Ontario)
>>
>> April 21, 2009 Tuesday
>> Final Edition
>>
>> Police radio scanners to fall silent
>>
>> BYLINE: Trevor Wilhelm, The Windsor Star
>>
>> SECTION: NEWS; Pg. A2
>>
>> LENGTH: 476 words
>>
>> Windsor police will block the media and armchair scanner listeners
>> from monitoring their radio communications starting Wednesday, saying
>> they're trying to protect the privacy of accused criminals and
>> victims.
>>
>> Sgt. Brett Corey said the change will stop thousands of people with
>> scanners across Windsor from listening in on police as they respond to
>> emergencies and other calls.
>>
>> "When our officers are at scenes, they're running personal information
>> of not only victims, but accused people," said Corey. "That
>> information is flowing over the airwaves freely. There are some
>> Freedom of Information Act issues that we have not been able to
>> control in the past. You've heard it how many times where somebody's
>> personal information is being given out over the air, with regard to
>> criminal records, conditions, sensitive information. With this new
>> digital system, we are now able to control how that information
>> flows."
>>
>> Police will make the switch to an encrypted digital radio system at 7
>> a.m. Wednesday. Instead of permitting local media to monitor scanners,
>> police have created a website listing incidents after officers have
>> responded to them.
>>
>> Insp. George McPhee said the switch is also part of a natural
>> progression in technology. The whole city will be on the same digital
>> system, including police, public works, transit and other departments,
>> he said. The cost to switch over the whole city system, including
>> infrastructure, equipment and a fourth transmitter site in the south
>> Windsor area, was $10 million.
>>
>> "This is the natural evolution of the city system," said McPhee. "This
>> is not a police system. This is the corporate system. We're the first
>> group to go live on the new system, and we're going live on encrypted
>> mode."
>>
>> Corey said Durham and Niagara regional police use the encrypted
>> system, and London police have had it for a decade.
>>
>> "We're just one of the police services in a long line that's moving
>> this way," said Corey.
>>
>> Apart from technological advances, police said they are mainly trying
>> to obey laws that prohibit the unintended release of people's
>> sensitive information.
>>
>> "The only reason in the past we weren't able to protect that
>> information was we didn't have the means to," said McPhee.
>>
>> Listening in on that sensitive information has been a popular pastime
>> for many Windsorites, said Corey.
>>
>> "We go to calls and we're talking on the radio, and next thing you
>> know I'm hearing my voice in the guy's garage while he's sitting there
>> having a beer."
>>
>> He said police have often received complaints from people whose names
>> have gone out over the airwaves.
>>
>> "We get people calling in all the time saying 'I heard my name, what
>> are you doing giving that information out?'" said Corey. "We've never
>> had the capability of protecting that before. Now we do. We're looking
>> at it in terms of liability. We're trying to be proactive. Just
>> protect that information."
>>
>>
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