[Scan-DC] Some La. police agencies won't encrypt radios

[Alan Henney]

The Associated Press State & Local Wire

December 29, 2012 Saturday 8:48 PM GMT 

Some La. police agencies won't encrypt radios

SECTION: STATE AND REGIONAL

LENGTH: 153 words

DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS 

Authorities in Orleans and Jefferson parishes say they'll keep some radio channels open to outside listeners after they encrypt more sensitive information on Jan. 1. 

Police agencies had said earlier they might encrypt all radio channels, drawing protests from news media and a group that monitors police activity.

The change was spurred by concern that criminals could listen to police scanners. New Orleans Police Superintendent Serpas tells The Times-Picayune (http://bit.ly/VnX9fr) that the city's 10 dispatch channels will remain open. Other channels where officers discuss responses to ongoing incidents will be encoded, he says.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says its dispatch channels will remain open.

Plaquemines Parish says it will encrypt all channels, while a spokesman for the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office says he's not yet aware of a decision.

Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com